Abert's Towhee

Gallery: AvianPosted February 16, 2014122 views9 comments

Abert’s Towhee (Pipilo aberti)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: February 9, 2007, 3:40 pm
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), tripod
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/1000th @ f/5.6, ISO 200
Raw, PS CS23on Mac, 74% of frame

Locally abundant but hard to get off the ground or in clear view in a tree. So when I see one in relatively clear view I “shoot first” and worry about the fine points of the setting later.

I may have posted this back in 2007 but my records aren’t clear, so when this loaded on my random image omputer desktop I decided to reprocess it and post.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger version provided for critical viewing, as always.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 16, 2014 at 6:13 PM

I'm not at all familiar with this towhee, but I like the setting with the twigs and buds. Larger version shows really nice details esp around that red eye. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 16, 2014 at 6:24 PM

"Locally abundant but hard to get off the ground or in clear view in a tree."
Very true. I see the Eastern Towhee regularly here, but never perched..
Excellent work Rich.

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

Comment posted by John Neukirch on February 16, 2014 at 7:08 PM

Simply an exquisite image Richard, the color of the buds really look nice with the wonderful light and splendid Towhee. Only thing I might have done is to clone out the OOF branches that intersect the bottom area of the tail. Thanks for sharing!

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 17, 2014 at 5:49 PM

I don't recall seeing this before, Rich. Fine work just capturing an Abert's Towhee off the ground. Good techs, nicely sharp where it matters and even a bit of behavior. Fine work.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on February 17, 2014 at 6:03 PM

You caught some nice feeding behavior to go along with the clear view. Nicely handled.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 18, 2014 at 3:22 AM

I like this shot a lot Richard. I especially like the diagonal perch, the yellow-green buds and the fact the Towhee is enjoying them as a meal. My only initial thought was would this look better vertical? I tried viewing it that way and then it seemed unbalanced with a heavy left side and feel it would make the twigs on the right distracting...so I like it as posted. Good decisions IMO.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Oakley on February 19, 2014 at 6:24 AM

Sweet image Richard - great setting and the flower-in-beak really adds interest

Registered on June 12, 2012, 115 Posts, 266 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 20, 2014 at 8:05 PM

Wonderful detail where it counts and interesting to see this bird off the ground. At Sweetwater Wetlands I only see them scurrying around the ground, nice shot Rich.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 21, 2014 at 10:40 AM

Great perch and setting Rich - the yellow flowers contrast nicely with the more sombre hues

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