Summer Tanager

Gallery: AvianPosted November 20, 2011154 views10 comments

Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra)

Place: Riparian Preserve @ Gilbert, AZ
Date: November 2, 2011, 8:30 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/1000th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 48% of frame

I was surprised by this late migrant traveling with a male in full plumage a couple weeks ago at the Water Ranch. They caught my eye a bit ahead of me along the trail I was walking and then popped up on the branch of this dead tree. I got off a few frames before it moved on and never had a chance to move in closer.

If possible please base any comments on larger version. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 20, 2011 at 4:25 PM

Great colors here Rich. I like the even light on the bird that still shows nice texture and the slight cock of the head. The crop held up well. I'd love a chance at this species one day.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 20, 2011 at 5:30 PM

Great little bird - love the "expression", striking colours, and interesting BG.
Nice find!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 20, 2011 at 7:18 PM

Rich,

I know I am not participating much on NPN's Avian critique gallery but I saw this and just had to comment. I love how well the background compliments the coloring of the tanager, eye contact, pose and details. I'd see these in FL but haven't seen one since I moved to UT.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 20, 2011 at 7:30 PM

She's a beauty although so different from her spouse. I love the colors and the complimentary background.

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

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on November 20, 2011 at 8:15 PM

I really like the bg! It's a nice image made a bit nicer by that unusual and interesting background.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on November 20, 2011 at 8:27 PM

This is rather nice in every way!

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

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on November 20, 2011 at 9:39 PM

Agree with all comments already posted. Very striking image.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 21, 2011 at 5:22 PM

Great pose and a nice perch, the bird looks great against the wonderful muted background.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 21, 2011 at 6:42 PM

I think you managed the bright sunlight well, nice POV & pose Rich.
Looks like the detail held well in the LP also.
I visited your website for the first time yesterday, an impressive body of work.
Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 24, 2011 at 12:42 AM

I have yet to see one of these let alone get a photograph, once I looked up the bird interesting to see the male is all red, wonderful find and good reaction, way to go.

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