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Cholla and Cactus Wren
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Cholla and Cactus Wren

by Jim DeWitt

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted March 2, 2014202 views6 comments
Olympus E-5,300mm x 2.0 TC, tripod
f6.3, 1/400, ISO200

We don't get much cactus is Alaska. :biggrin: But I was lucky enough to spend a day with Charlie Van Tassel, east of San Diego, and found this handsome fellow perched in his namesake.

75% of full frame. Selective sharpening.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on March 2, 2014 at 9:54 PM
The cactus wren shown in his namesake environment makes for a wonderful portrait of this bird. I like the close-up view of this interesting cactus too, with the many sharp needles. Interesting to see how the bird is somewhat standing on his "tip-toes" in order to perch on the prickly cactus. Guess he's had to learn to adapt. :smile: Very nice image of both bird and cactus, Jim.
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 2, 2014 at 10:28 PM
That wren looks right at home standing on all those thorns! You've got such a great view here that I can even see that he's touching with his claw tips, not his feet. Great shot of the bird in it's namesake element.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on March 2, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Very nice shot, Jim. I 'm sure this little fellow feels pretty safe in that environment . That's pretty cool how he extends his claws to perch there.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on March 3, 2014 at 5:58 PM
This is sweet and the image could make a great panorama too. :toast:
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on March 5, 2014 at 8:25 PM
Very nice image, Jim. Can't say I've ever really seen one of these wrens up this close. It has a very pretty color scheme.
This image brought back some fond memories of an old friend. The person had at one time a shop in our area called "The Cactus Wren"..... :cool:
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on March 14, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Hello Jim

Sweet capture among those prickly points:)

Beautiful tones and love the textures too!

Bill
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments