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Summer Tanager
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Summer Tanager

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: AvianPosted April 26, 2011255 views11 comments
In the years I've been shooting, this is my first Summer Tanager..
It was early morning with heavy overcast conditions @ F/5.6, 1/60th, and ISO 640. 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x About 70% of the original.

It's a first spring male with variable amount of red and yellow feathers; may have only a few red feathers on head, or may be entirely red except for the wing feathers.

A special thanks to Richard Ditch for help sorting this ID out.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on April 26, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Really nice image of a bird I've never seen. You captured a head posture that is so nice. I looked at my Peterson's guide and you guys did a great job of ID I think
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 26, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Nice, Howard. One of many I'd love to see. The detail is excellent where it needs to be. While a bit more dof would have been nice, you caught the critical areas and you didn't have much light to work with.
:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Jeremy Week on April 26, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Really nice! The colors are wonderful, both bird and background. Great pose too!
Registered on February 19, 2007, 62 Posts, 394 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 26, 2011 at 2:43 PM
A beautiful bird and a nice perch and pose. It looks as if the focus was more on the right shoulder, as the head is very slightly fuzzy, and more of the fence in front is in focus. Still, an excellent capture given the conditions.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 26, 2011 at 4:18 PM
I like this as presented. THe colors are spot-on for the species, and exposed properly (always tough to do). The position works well and I like the texture and color of the weathered wood.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 26, 2011 at 9:05 PM
Very cool to see this tanager in it's first year plumage, Howard. I do not think I have ever witnessed one in this plumage.. I like the down looking pose. Thanks for posting this.
Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Heironymus on April 26, 2011 at 9:43 PM
Sweeeeet!!!
Maybe a slight (and I do mean slight) touch of flash for some catch light??
Registered on November 1, 2003, 36 Posts, 1110 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on April 26, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I like the dof and comp of this image. Very nice background making the bird really stand out.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Conway on April 26, 2011 at 11:25 PM
This is great Howard. The perch is super and I love the expression! :toast:

Peter
Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 27, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Such a beautiful bird, nich pose, comp, detail and bg.
Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on April 28, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Howard,
this bird is beautiful and you captured him very well. I love the expression, the colors, the detail and the comp. Very well done. :toast: :wavey:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments