Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Gallery: AvianPosted March 4, 2012183 views9 comments

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
Place: Riparian Preserve, Gilbert, AZ

Date: Februry 29, 2012 8:48 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55
Exposure: ISO 800, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/640th @ f8
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, full frame
No set up, not baited

I know many will find the stray out-of-focus vegetation that crosses the kinglet’s shoulder an image killer I like the rest of the image enough to keep and post it. I observed some bird activity in the tangle beside the trail and moved in to see if I could take advantage of it. I was thrilled when this tiny active kinglet popped up in front of me for two frames.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please see the larger version for critical analysis.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 4, 2012 at 9:18 PM

oh, man, that is a killer pose, Rich. hard enough to get any kinglet shot, let alone one with a pose like this. nice perch and bg too. the oof veg is obviously too bad, as this would be truly exceptional without it. as is though, still a shot I'd be happy to keep.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 4, 2012 at 9:18 PM

Definitely not an "image-killer" for me with this nice catch of these active and elusive little kinglets.
Nice eye, nice pose, and a great look at that red crown.
Still, if you wanted, I bet you could get rid of that branch and carefully clone in the areas it breached.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on March 5, 2012 at 3:13 AM

Richard as you say the bit of oof stuff is a pain,but on the + side you have got a super image of this smashing little bird.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on March 5, 2012 at 10:34 AM

I think "image killers" like the oof leaf add a touch of realism to wildlife photos - which is getting harder to come by these days. Nice light and pose too.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 5, 2012 at 2:41 PM

Agree with Dan, of course it would be even more stunning without the OOF twig, however this is what we come across and I would be more than happy with a shot like this

, cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 6, 2012 at 12:39 AM

The branch is a bummer but I certainly wouldn't have deleted this. The wing action is excellent and the pose and motion shown are so typical kinglet.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 6, 2012 at 1:17 AM

The branch is unfortunate but then again you got a full frame kinglet shot which is very hard to do, way to go Rich.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 6, 2012 at 11:12 AM

A sweet shot. The pose is really cool, nice BG, good perch and nice detail. Yes, it would have been better without the OOF branch but that's a pretty small problem for me. I have tried with little success to photograph these birds and would gladly take one as good as this one.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 6, 2012 at 12:48 PM

I've added a post on my blog expanding on Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments