Grey Catbird

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. Another image that I captured last April. I wish the ends of the perch were sharp but as close as I was to this bird I do not think any reasonable aperture would have provided the depth of field needed. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm
1/2000 F/8 Matrix Metering EV +2/3 ISO 4000 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC 2017, cleaned up some out of focus branches in the background in Photoshop
Cropped slightly for composition and presentation

[Roger Smith]

I loved watching this species during a visit to NJ this summer. They seemed to stalk me as a hiked in the stifling heat and humidity! I really like this capture, with the look back. Great subject isolation with a clean background. I might drop the image a bit lower in the frame if the capture permits. Great job.

[Tim Foltz]

Joe, nice shot, sweet colors and details, nice BG, HA and catchlight. I agree if you have the room I would drop it down in the frame.

-Tim

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Joe, love the pose with the raised tail, and you have brought out the finer plumage nicely. I would try and blend in the darker area of the BG infront of his chest, and another vote for taking a bit off the bottom.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes, pointing the lens higher would have been a good thing here. Sharp, and I love the raised tail. I'd work on the masking of the branch as the outline looks cut-out in places due to the processing.