Dartford Warbler

Gallery: AvianPosted March 13, 2011758 views29 comments

Photo of the beautiful Dartford Warbler, a very secretive bird always on the move, slipping from one bush to the other. The weather today for once was perfect and got really lucky here. He'd dart from bush to bush, gaining the highest vantage point in which to sing from. As there was only a few high points in the bushes on this hillside I stayed in one area fully hidden from view using fieldcraft and camo to blend in, and along he came. His song was amazing and his colours truly breathtaking, with a mad and angry looking eye. These birds are fairly rare in the UK preferring the southern areas of the UK, chalk downs, moorland etc so a real find, and a stunning looking bird, full of colours, and energy.No hide, bait,feed or perches were used in this image,the photograph captures the moment the bird landed in front of me and starting singing with its amazing song.
D3S
F4VR600
F5.6,1/1000
ISO 400,-0.3EV
Matrix
Thanks For Looking

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 13, 2011 at 6:45 PM

Wow, what colors Craig. That is one awesome looking bird. I love the eye and the raised head feathers. Singing pose is always good in my book. Sharpness and detail look great with a super perch area and BG. The only thing I might do to this is take a bit off the top as there is a lot of space up there. Very well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 13, 2011 at 7:05 PM

A beautiful color scheme and the bird sticks out beautifully. . . I think there is a little too much canvas up top though even with the pleasing colors.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 13, 2011 at 9:22 PM

Awesome bird, colors and pose! I agree with the comp suggestions and would also take a little off the left to move him out of center. Killer shot, though!

Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 13, 2011 at 10:09 PM

A beauty. I can't say I've run across them even in the guide books. Love the colors. I'd be inclined to agree with the others on taking a little off the top.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 13, 2011 at 10:33 PM

Neat little bird. I lite the pose, perch and background. Very nice image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 13, 2011 at 10:42 PM

Wonderful shot Craig, I love the detail, the rich colour, and the distinct absence of any distracting elements, and of course the subject is as cute as they come ;^) Very well done :^)

Ashley

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 13, 2011 at 10:59 PM

Wonderful singing pose and background colours. Very sharp too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 14, 2011 at 12:56 AM

Fantastic bird and photo, but I'd have to agree with the others regarding the space at the top - not much off though.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 14, 2011 at 6:46 AM

Wonderful colours, perch and head turn Craig

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 14, 2011 at 11:20 AM

I'm enjoying the composition on this. With the slight upward looking pose, the space at the top seems to work OK. There is a lot of it up there, but it seems to add for me. Nicely captured.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on March 14, 2011 at 2:45 PM

I've never seen one of these before Craig. Great shot of a great looking bird, it really stands out with the clean and colourful background.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 14, 2011 at 3:48 PM

I have never heard of this bird but this is an excellent image. I like the pose, perch, light and wonderful background colors. I also might be inclined to take some of the top but a minor item. Great job in getting this as your patience paid off, way to go, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 14, 2011 at 8:06 PM

Pose, light and "angry eye" are wonderful Craig. As are the background colors. Sharpness looks good and I enjoy the bird small in the frame here. I'd take some off the top too.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 14, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Lucky you to get him to stop and pose. Nice shot . I think I would prefer a tighter crop from the top but i tend to like it close

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 14, 2011 at 10:11 PM

This is a beautiful bird in awesome light, Craig. I like that pose with the great look at the eye and the open bill. I think I would prefer a bit less room on top. This is great as posted.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 15, 2011 at 5:11 PM

Love this one Craig, I think the comp works really well mostly because that bg is so darn beautiful.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on March 16, 2011 at 3:19 PM

Amazing pic!! Beautiful colors all around. Great perch, wonderful lighting, sharp and well composed. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by Andrei Malashenko on March 18, 2011 at 10:20 PM

Great photo!. Beautiful light, colours and I really like where you placed the bird. Congratulations, best regards, Andrei

Registered on March 18, 2011, 13 Posts, 68 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on March 18, 2011 at 11:31 PM

Wow. Lovely image and appreciate the explanation of what it took to make the capture. All excellent technicals on this one. There is a lot of vacant space.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 24, 2011 at 1:36 PM

Craig - beautiful little bird, great BG, and nice comp.
Congrats on the EP!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Zachary Lake on March 24, 2011 at 1:49 PM

Wow!!!

The sharpness, color, background, lighting, etc. etc. etc. is all stunning!!!

CONGRATS!!!

Registered on July 1, 2008, 24 Posts, 120 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Jones on March 24, 2011 at 1:58 PM

Many thanks for all your comments, so many amazing images on here, many thanks for the EP many thanks

Registered on January 31, 2009, 67 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 24, 2011 at 2:24 PM

Outstanding image, Craig. Congrats.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Haskell on March 24, 2011 at 7:03 PM

Hi Craig.

Congrats on your EP. Very nice photograph.

Ian

Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 24, 2011 at 7:51 PM

Big congrats on your WP selection Craig!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 25, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Congrats Craig

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 31, 2011 at 6:15 AM

Congratulations Craig :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on April 10, 2011 at 2:48 AM

A real stunner Craig- love the comp as is for the gradational change of the OOF upper 2/3ds as it lends a 3d effect to the subject. Congrats on the well deserved EP

Registered on December 20, 2005, 136 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Ruben Vicente on April 10, 2011 at 8:35 AM

Excellent light Craig.

You've captured a nice pose. I can image how difficult it was to shoot this. Thx for the detailed description.

Registered on April 9, 2011, 4 Posts, 59 Comments