Bushtits + Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted July 16, 2011165 views16 comments

I was sitting and waiting at my oriole/tanager setup this morning when a flock of Bushtits moved through the area. I pished a bit to get their attention and several hopped up on this dead and toppled pinyon pine.

I think this is an interesting image visually, even though the bird at bottom right isn't quite sharp. My wife commented that it has the look of a J.J. Audubon scene to her.

I'm tempted to clone out the bit of branch below the bird at right, what do you think?

I appreciate your critiques and comments. Please view larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, tripod, camo cloth

1/640, f/7.1, ISO 500

Crop to 50% (9.0 of 18MP)

Natural perch and light

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 16, 2011 at 8:21 PM

Yes I would ! But its still a great grab. Good stuff indeed.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 16, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Really a nice design element to this Brian and it is evident by just the small thumbnail. Beautiful light and color. I didn't notice the branch until you mentioned it. I think it would be fine either way. Wonderful image!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 16, 2011 at 11:21 PM

ok--I do not enjoy cloning but the more I looked at it, the more that little branch had to go. Here's a repost without the branch and with some extra sharpening on the soft bushtit.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 16, 2011 at 11:38 PM

Great light and excellent to catch 3 of them, even if not in ideal poses.
Nice perch , comp, and BG too.
I'd get rid of that branch bit, if it were mine.
Nice!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Richard Sogn on July 17, 2011 at 12:04 AM

I love the color, the softness, and the composition. I find this photograph far more interesting than most photos posted on the avian gallery as its more active and alive. I do prefer the repost without the branch. Well done.

Registered on January 17, 2007, 68 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 17, 2011 at 1:07 AM

Great and unusual colours for a bird image, this is what makes it different which is always nice to see.
I am not bothered by the "bit of branch" either way.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on July 17, 2011 at 2:55 AM

A story by itself Brian ....beautifully done .and the comp works very well here....and you have got some amazing light ...love the catch light on all the birds ...well done ..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 17, 2011 at 7:59 AM

Very hard to get all three in focus & facing forward, you "pish" well Brian

Great exposure control and the scene pops with your dark BG..I agree with your wife too

I think the clone improved the post in this case.
Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on July 17, 2011 at 9:09 AM

Nice one, Brian! They do come, and go, as a "bird-wave". Seeing both, I think I prefer the original.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 17, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Has a definitely cuteness factor. The sharpness on the right bird is so minor that had you not mentioned it I don't think anyone would have noticed. I like that the birds are all seeming to "do their own thing". Dark background is nice. Well composed in general.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on July 17, 2011 at 11:07 AM

Brian I absolutely love it it tells a great story. unfortunately I'm on my phone so I can't really tell about the details I'll look at it again when I get home and give you my opinion on cloning out or not. I do like what I see on my phone though

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 17, 2011 at 7:14 PM

Nice one, Brian. The poses aren't all perfect (though the variety is nice), but since they look like extensions of the branch it doesn't really matter.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on July 17, 2011 at 7:46 PM

That is incredibly cool Brian. It just gave me such a lovely little chuckle. I think I could look at this every day and never get tired of it. Glad you took out the twig, just looks better without it.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 17, 2011 at 8:48 PM

Wonderful image, Brian. Glorious light and composition. I do think the repost is even better.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 18, 2011 at 8:44 AM

Nice one Brian - like your comp and the light

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 19, 2011 at 3:14 PM

Wow, what an interesting image with the light, dark background, wonderful composition with all 3 birds in the frame. I would of not even noticed the branch if you had not mentioned it, my eye went right for the birds, excellent contrast image, nice job in getting this, way to cool.

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