Glowing Grackle

[Steve Maxson]

While I was sitting in a blind waiting for ducks, this Common Grackle decided to briefly pose for me in the sunlight all aglow. 40D, 500 f/4, 1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 400. I toned down the bleached white stump and added a little canvas on the left. Comments are welcome.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Steve,
I like your composition and image, great details on your bird. My only nit would be to tone down the perch a bit, it a wee bit too hot...:D

[Dan Walker]

Steve, great image. Irredescence shows up great. really like the odd pose, and it works well with composition. Would tone down the stump a little more. Well done

Dan

[Philip Pietri]

Remarkable subject and remarkable background. Nits mentioned - awesome job.

[Doug Brown]

Excellent bird and BG Steve! Iridescence is fabulous. Perch needs some work as described above. Very nice overall!

[Dave Phillips]

really good job Steve to have that much "glow" and still hold highlight details.
Definitely work the perch a bit.....super grackle IMO

[Robert O'Toole]

Great pose , sharpness and the colors look fantastic Steve. Wish the perch was still darker though, have you tried the mutiply layer blend mode?


Robert

[Steve Maxson]

Great pose , sharpness and the colors look fantastic Steve. Wish the perch was still darker though, have you tried the mutiply layer blend mode?


Robert

Hi Robert. Yes, I selected the light colored areas of the stump, converted the selection to a layer, and applied Multiply at 55% opacity. Sounds like I need to do more.

[Freddy Franzella]

Fantastic image! detail! color! only nit would be toning down the perch.

[Steve Canuel]

Great shine on that bird and what a regal pose. Nits mentioned.
Steve