Black-capped Chickadee 4

Gallery: AvianPosted March 9, 2015169 views5 comments

I get the feeling you are tired of seeing chickadee images from me, so this will be the last one for a while. (The next one I was going to post is perfectly sharp with nothing in the foreground, and a totally smooth background, so it would be pretty boring anyway. ;^) )

Pushing the limits: I shot this when I was returning home after a walk to the wetlands behind my house. When I got to my yard and bird feeder, this little puff ball was hunkered down deep in the hemlocks. The light was fading fast, so I went into "just get the shot" mode. After cranking up the ISO as high as I dared, I leaned against my storage shed (no tripod with me) to brace for the shot. I guess the exif data tells why the image looks the way it does, but aside from the technical shortcomings, I love this shot. It will never be a 16x20 print, but if I wanted to put a chickadee on my Christmas card, I would definitely choose this one over all those perfectly sharp images I have of this species.

What do you think? Would you just delete it?

Canon 7D Mark II; 100-400mm.
1/50 sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 5,000
Camera braced against building (no tripod)
... and 20% of the whole frame: 4MP!
Selective noise reduction using Topaz Denoise

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on March 9, 2015 at 11:06 PM

I like the composition with the pose and the greenery framing the chickadee. The snow on the head is a nice feature. Yes, it could be a bit sharper, but given the techs: Great job. I'm also impressed by the noise or lack thereof at ISO 5000. Overall, I'd say it was a keeper and it would make a nice seasonal card.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 10, 2015 at 10:38 AM

Beautiful setting - nice perch and hints of snow. Pretty amazing what our cameras are capable of these days. Obviously there are some serious IQ issues - particularly with the larger image.

If possible I'd try to knock the highlights on the cheek down (or even clone some darker whites in at like a 50% opacity) and selectively remove the blue/cyan that crept in under the eye which is quite distracting to me.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on March 10, 2015 at 11:50 AM

Wayne, I agree that this would make a beautiful Christmas card. I like the pose of the chickadee, the snowflakes on the head, the comp, and the snow and greenery in the bg.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 10, 2015 at 7:39 PM

You've done a great job with the Chickadee shots, Wayne. The bird looks nicely sharp and you've got a catch light in it's eye. The pose is very typical Chickadee and the background works well. I can see why you like this and yes, it would make a great Christmas card.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 10, 2015 at 11:23 PM

Hey Wayne,
You want to know what I think ?
I think it's time for 'Kayak Weather' to return so we can get back on the water !
I'm enjoying your Chickadee series and don't let the 'Cabin Fever Blues' get to you and by all means lay-off that delete key.
Steady my friend, remember, you are 7 months away from that Christmas Card decision.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments