Cactus Wren

Gallery: AvianPosted April 15, 20042,779 views9 comments

<b>Cactus Wren</b> <i>(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)</i>

Place: Tucson, AZ, USA
Date: December 1998
Equipment: Nikon N90S, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (= 600/5.6), tripod
Film: Fujichrome Sensia 100
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered
Scan: Minolta Dimage, 85% of frame

I posted a version of this at NPN back in 2001. It has always been a favorite image, and I rcently revisted the scan for a closer interpretation of the slide. This was taken while hiking the trails at Aqua Caliente Park. The wren appears to have been feeding on the red fruit of the cholla cactus from the color around the base of the bill.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on April 15, 2004 at 12:26 PM

Rich, this is just outstanding! I like everything about it from the perch, to the colors, to the composition. Great scan too!

One of my favorite birds, thanks for sharing this one.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Garth McElroy on April 15, 2004 at 12:36 PM

Love that perch! Great shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on April 15, 2004 at 2:53 PM

Nice shot Rich, One of your best I'd say!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Davidson on April 15, 2004 at 4:36 PM

Well done, Rich! This is superb, love the habitat showing and inhanceing the image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 38 Posts, 815 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Sherman on April 15, 2004 at 8:35 PM

Hi Rich,
Great shot of one of my favorites. I am always amazed how they can stand on/live in these prickly places.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 165 Posts, 1116 Comments

Comment posted by Lee Daniels on April 15, 2004 at 9:00 PM

This is gorgeous, Rich! Not a nit to be found here. The composition is superb and the depth, colors, tones and detail are wonderful. Very alive - just super!

Registered on December 31, 2003, 115 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Betty Frazier on April 15, 2004 at 9:06 PM

Beautiful, Rich. It's always a pleasure to open posts shot in the Southwest. A really nice subject and pose in a terrific setting. The tiny bit of red around the beak is a nice touch, complimented by the rosy tones in the perch.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 13 Posts, 86 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on April 15, 2004 at 10:05 PM

Richard,

Very nice!!! The background really allows good separation of the bird. I especially like the soft lighting and image clarity. Simply put it's just a very appealing image, well done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on April 16, 2004 at 3:42 PM

Hi Rich,
it is as great as it can get

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments