Black-throated Sparrow

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)

Place: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ
Date: May 18, 2005, 8:27 am
Equipment: Nikon D70, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), tripod
Exposure: ISO 200, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/250th @ f/11
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, 73% of frame
Not baited or called. Not set up.

I’m cleaning up a lot of old files while waiting for better temps here in Phoenix.

I felt very lucky to encounter this sparrow on a wonderful ocotillo branch, sitting in the “dip” with bright blossoms against a clean sky. I’ve always enjoyed strong graphics and don’t believe that the bird in an image has to fill the frame if the setting is interesting.
Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.