Western Bluebird

Hi Tom, we are all still learning. This is a beautiful male blue bird. I really like the coloring of the bird and the flowers together. The bird's head is not as sharp as it could be. This may be because you were focused on the back of the bird. Next time, if you have the chance try to focus on the eye this will help with the focusing. Another suggestion I will offer is that next time you post give details of the setting that you used and if you used any programs to sharpen or crop your photograph. Check out others and see what details they offer. It would be nice also, to see a larger photo post with the smaller one. I have learned a lot from my posting and have enjoyed the comments from others on this site. I have seen my photography getting better and better from the great advice of others. So keep posting and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us!

Thank you Carlette, The photo was taken on cloudy day but was lucky as the bluebird was dropping down repeatedly to a perch from wire above so I was able to get several shots. Thank you for advice on spot focus on eye.
I shot with a Nikon D300s utilizing an 80-400 AF VR-f4.5 with a Tamron 1.4x converter. F5.6 ISO 640 1/ 125. I am using Microsoft picture mgr to adjust brightness, contrast and mid tone and Microsoft Paint to fix noise. I am still shooting in JPEG but plan to start shooting in RAW once I learn how to use Photoshop better.

Welcome to NPN Tom, this is a lovely perch you captured this beauty on. From your techs it looks like you didn't have a lot of light to work with. From a compositional standpoint, I would crop a little from the right to move the bird out of the center a bit.

Welcome!
Beautiful bird on a nice perch, and a nice BG too.
Posting the optional larger image would allow us to evaluate sharpness and make better suggestions.
I'd selectively lighten the face a bit, and move him off-center.
Lovely image!
Sandy

I especially like the perch and colors Tom, good BG too. Overall a very attractive image.
Less space on the RT side might be better, and I would lighten the birds head/eye a tad if possible.
Well done

Nice composition, beautiful bird. My personal opinion; Would be excellent shot if the bird in more right side with more sharpness. TFS

Great, great color shot. A little crop adjustment suggested here. Let the branch lead more from left to right and bird off center right.