The Mugshot.

[dankearl]

An odd bird to do a portrait of, it landed very close on a wood railing so I cropped the railing and made a close up.
I thought about removing the crud on the beak and face, but it is natural so I did not bother, and most mugshots look out of sorts!
The BG looks as fake as Waxwings do, it is just the swamp in the distance.

1/2000, f8, iso800, 500mm (300 w/ 2.8), D800

DSC_2012bp.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=117162&stc=1&d=1345163296)

[gail bisson]

This is really nice Dan.
I agree re:waxwings looking "fake" but you have shown the feather detail beautifully.
I really like the inclusion of the red "wax" in RLC.
HA perfect, nice open beak and I am OK with the dirt.
Well done,
Gail

[laurie golden]

Dan,

Very nice and sharp. Great that you got so close to him. He must be hot with that open mouth!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

These birds are so beautiful. I wasn't aware the dark on the fac was so dark. Nice detail on the face area

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice close up shot. Excellent details, great background, and great comp.
Well done.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, good sharp detail where it counts, and good to see in the open beak. Im fine with the messy beak, and you are visible in the eye. :w3

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice details, and I too am glad you included the "wax" in the image. I do prefer a better light angle to splash the face though.

[Joe Senzatimore]

A head shot any model would be proud to put in a portfolio.:5 Very well exicuted.

[Don Nelson]

Very nice image - I especially like the crop you have selected leaving the red tips at the wings. I differ from Stuart - I'd like to see the bill, and if possible, the area on the side of the head cleaned up (looks like this bird got into the spider web(s).
Here's a modest quick rework to show what I suggest, which would have been better using the raw. :
117181

[rajojomanik]

One of my favourite birds.

Love the details, background and open beak, well done Dan.

[dankearl]

Don, thanks for taking the time and I like the results.
I can go either way, i didn't mind the crud as it was just natural, but your repost does look nice.

[PhilCook]

Extra extra nice fine detail, love the open beak, I find in this instance the HA is shadowing the eye a little too much, so possibly a little more side on may of helped....but that is being way too nit picking, excellent image as is

[Ofer Levy]

Excellent sharpness and detail. Agree with Daniel regarding the light. I realise you were trying to include the red area and leave out the railing but the way it is presented it is not a head shot nor a full body but something in between which doesn't feel right to me.

[arash_hazeghi]

great pose and lots of detail. I also wish the sun was behind you. there are probably better choices of cropping too

TFS