Nuthatch in puddle

[John Robinson]

Nuthatch. Quite a lot at the pool now but a lot of them in moult. Darkened a very bright lichen covered branch behind the water splashes. Proved very difficult to do.
D7100
Nikor70-300mm
1000ISO
80th @f9
Neat image 70% of frame.
Levels Paint Sho Pro
Thanks for looking and commets on last pic
JohnR

[Geoff Newhouse]

I like the use of a slow SS to show the bathing behaviour. Would prefer a lower shooting angle.

TFS
Geoff

[Daniel Cadieux]

The flying water drops and blurred wing provide a strong sense of movement and action. Very good. I like that the nuthatch held its head steady enough to keep it sharp. I think the comp could withstand a crop from below to just above your signature...of course this is only IMO:S3:. Some evidence of the work you did in URC is showing, but I can see how difficult that could have been with all the water there.

[John Robinson]

Thanks both
Geoff Thanks A word about the shooting angle. It is from a permanaent small hide and I chose the position which I can't really move. I chose the angle for a reason. Most of the pool stuff I do is with the birds at the edge of the water nearest the camera and with a head looking back at my position. This is purely and simply because that is my favourite bird angle and position.. The reason for the angle is because if you go any lower there is less chance of getting the tail and head in focus. With my angle the plane through the bird is more in parallel with the camera.- thus more depth of field.. Hope that explains it. There is no problem with side on stuff.
Cheers
John

[William Dickson]

Nice action shot John, the movement really brings the image 'alive' Good one

Will

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Good stuff John! I love the motion blur in the wings.
WOuldn't be easy to tidy up an image like this.
Well done.
TFS!

[John Robinson]

Thanks
I should have seen the bright twig before I got set up- I,ve used the hide often enough by now. Funny how you still don't see things 'till its too late !
JohnR