Damp Towhee & RP

Gallery: AvianPosted July 3, 2017228 views10 comments

I've had Towhees lurking in the background at the new pond off and on since I built it. This morning I finally had one come in and use it-thoroughly! This is one of the resident species that won't come to the back yard pond, so I've really been hoping to get it. I also have some full body shots on a perch after its bath, but I liked this one better.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 421 mm, tripod with ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick, f/11, 1/50, iso 1250, aperture priority, pattern metering, -1/3 EV. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped from a horizontal original to a 7.2 MP 4x5 vertical before resizing. Taken this morning at 8:39 am under overcast skies.

Your comments and criticisms are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on July 3, 2017 at 10:39 PM

Yes, he is a little soggy, but it's a nice variation of the usual shot. Very sharp and the slight reflection is a bonus. Did you consider darkening the rocks on the right and left a little bit? They are competing for my attention. But even without that, it's a very fine shot.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on July 3, 2017 at 11:51 PM

Soggy little guy. My first impression is that the black plumage is not black enough. I played a bit with the image creating a mask of the darkest color tones (which also grabbed some tones in the background), and darkened those tones. I think it helps the image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on July 4, 2017 at 5:45 AM

Hi Dennis, like the behavioural aspect here and the clarity of the image.

I might suggest adding a Graduate filter to the FG for some more added 'Tonal depth' so you get that 'layering' effect. Are you using LV here, perhaps a cable release and MLU may help at these speeds? I think you could easily go to a straight ISO1600 as you might gain a tad more SS with little, if any loss in IQ, although like it's predecessor, neither like high ISO.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 4, 2017 at 8:14 AM

Another nice pool shot Dennis. Looks like its working well.
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 4, 2017 at 1:05 PM

The pool is paying big dividends Dennis! I think Keith's suggestion would help with both the blacks and the BG, and I'd also try and remove the glare on the red part of the iris. Not a big deal, but there is good catch light on the pupil and I think repairing the second catch light would improve the beautiful view of the eye.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on July 4, 2017 at 1:36 PM

Wow, Dennis, you have me wanting a pool to invite birds to my backyard! Well done. I agree that the rocks seem to be a bit bright, and competing somewhat with the bird, but the detail in that bird is awesome, and so my eyes don't stay on the rocks long! Great image.

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 4, 2017 at 7:19 PM

Based on some of the suggestions, here's a repost with the blacks darker and the highlights over the iris removed. This was my first shot at using the TK luminosity masks, so it was quite a learning experience. It will be interesting to see how they work out, though I'm already seeing advantages for even my normal processing.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on July 5, 2017 at 3:24 AM

Just watch how far you 'adjust' your 'shadow' blacks Dennis, you don't want to loose detail, or choke areas!!!

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on July 5, 2017 at 5:08 PM

This Towhee has a unique appearance due to its wetness. I think you've done a little better with the repost. The pond is certainly attracting a lot of interesting birds to your camera viewpoint. Detail on this is outstanding.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on July 5, 2017 at 11:51 PM

This is great Dennis! I have never imagined a spotted towhee soaking wet in a pool of water. Maybe I need to build a pond!

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