Cedar Waxwing

Gallery: AvianPosted May 27, 20162,037 views4 comments

Canon 1D-X, 500mm f4 x 1.4 TC, handheld
f5.6, 1/640, ISO500

I wish the heavy branch didn't cut through the shot, but it's all the bird gave me. I have always had a lot of trouble getting a sharp image of these silky-feathered species but I'm pretty happy with this shot.

70% of full frame. Selective sharpening to bird, very slight adjustments to Levels.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 27, 2016 at 12:40 PM

I have yet to get anything as nice as this - the big branch doesn't bother me at all. Great natural color of the bird. I think you use Viveza also - I'd try to bring down the white areas as much as possible, as they compete a lot with the bird.
Excellent catch!
Sandy.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 27, 2016 at 5:46 PM

Nice job against the bright bg, Jim, and you did a very good job of bringing out detail in that notoriously difficult plumage. This is always a difficult species to find low down until the berries start ripening, so the fairly steep angle is typical of how we see them.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on May 27, 2016 at 6:59 PM

We like the soft colors of the greens against the pastels of the bird. The sharpness of the perch and the bird make the image pop. Although you didn't have a totally favorable sky I think you've done a good job with this and I really like it.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on May 28, 2016 at 6:48 PM

I really like this image Jim. Good and sharp, nice soft light on the bird, and I love the surrounding foliage. The branch doesn't bother me, and in fact it may actually help this picture. As was mentioned, it would be nice if the background bright spots were toned down, but very pleasing as posted.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments