Bobolink at Sunrise

[Bill Dix]

As I mentioned before, I failed again this year to capture a good image of a male Bobolink in breeding plumage. I've come to realize that maybe the bird in non-breeding plumage is equally beautiful, if not more so. This one was kind enough to land fairly near me, shortly after sunrise. From a local preserve, last month.

D500, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 1000, 1/1600s @ f/9 manual. (Was set to capture a pair of sparrows together on a branch when this bobolink flew in.)

[John Mack]

Pretty nice like the light and the pose. The perch is nice as well.

[Glenn Pure]

The plumage colours on this bird look really nice, Bill but I don't know what a breeding bird looks like. This species has a similar plumage appearance to an Australian Golden-headed Cisticola, which are very popular photographic subjects. I always enjoy seeing small birds on this forum so thank you for posting this. I did wonder about the aperture you were using so thanks for the explanation on that also. Nice that you have the birds against the dark part of the background to provide good separation and 'pop'. I guess you were after quite a rich, low-key type look here to bring out those colours in the plumage but wonder if a touch of lightening would benefit this frame?

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Beautiful early morning light with fine feather detail, Bill. Like the fanned tail, perch and good eye contact.

Geoffrey




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