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American Dipper
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American Dipper

by Jerry Austin

Gallery: AvianPosted October 7, 201799 views8 comments
I captured this American Dipper while in the Great Bear Rainforest. These guys are really quick. This was the only decent image I manged to capture. Processed with Lightroom, Photoshop and Lightzone. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f5.6
1/640s
Focal Length 560mm (Teleconverter engaged)
ISO 2000

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on October 7, 2017 at 12:30 PM
Even though the image is a little dark, the Dipper really stands out nicely against the water in the background, especially in the larger image.  The detail is superb.  I think you've done an excellent job in portraying the character of the Great Bear Rainforest.   The only thing I would suggest in this image would be to either darken or clone out the one water spot just above the back of the bird as it is a little distracting.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on October 7, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Ohhh--one of my favorites from out West.  Clone out the light spot as David suggested and the ouzel comp will be improved.  Well done......................jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 7, 2017 at 4:14 PM
Excellent, Jerry.  I've tried these guys a few times with zero success.  Your pose is nice and the plumage detail is excellent.  A slight head turn into the light would have been really cool, but this still works very well.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on October 7, 2017 at 9:57 PM
I like the perch and the head angle. Maybe, just a touch of the dodge tool on the face to brighten it up a wee bit? I, too, second the proposal to clone out the white halo on the back of the bird. I would spend some time on this, if it were mine, and clone out many of the other specular highlights, too.
Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on October 7, 2017 at 11:34 PM
Nice image Jerry. I agree with most of what Ajit said below (bringing up your exposure a bit on the bird and work on cloning out a lot of the bright spots in the BG). I think it's worth working on the image because I really like it myself.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 8, 2017 at 12:30 PM
Hello, Jerry, nice shot ! I tried my luck two years ago in Lassen. Love those birds , and their specific behavior ! Love the moss on the rock as well. Cheers, Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Minish on October 9, 2017 at 1:00 AM
It must be Dipper week!  I found this after I just posted a shot of an American Dipper.  Looks like you were lucky enough to get one to pose for you also. I agree with others that the eye, in particular, is in the shadow and the whole bird could stand to be brightened a bit.  Clarity, composition and brackground are all excellent as is the sharp focus and detail.  
Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments
Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on October 9, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Hi Jerry
Some times you just can't do anything with the background, vary nice detail and coloring on this Dipper.
Peter
Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments