Rose-breasted Grosbeak

[Isaac Grant]

This is a species which is very commonly seen in my area during migration and which nests within about 50 miles of my house. However getting it low down and at eye level in a spot with a clean background is extremely difficult. This adult male was photographed in June on the woods of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Canon 1dx mark 2 and Canon 600 f4 ii + 1.4x iii. ISO 2500, F6.3, SS 1/1250

[Dorian Anderson]

Detail looks great for ISO 2500! Perch is perfect, and I like his toes peeking out to give us some sense of this leg position.

[John Mack]

The frame within the frame is nice. Love all the green. Nice pose on the bird as well.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Clear, sharp, beautiful in its green surroundings. I probably would have cropped it a touch closer to get rid of the broken twig but now I'm nitpicking.

[Arthur Morris]

The somewhat centered image design works well here with the leaves. Bummer that this somewhat ratty looking bird was not facing you ... Losing the twig poking the bird in the breast would be an option.

with love, arite

[Isaac Grant]

This bird was extremely cooperative. I have load of images of it from every angle. I have it with food, i have it singimg, etc. A few moths back I posted a closeup of the bird facing us. I liked this pose as it is one i have not seen before of the species. Back of this species has to get some love too!

[Arthur Morris]

Great. Post a link to the one with the red :)

a

[Isaac Grant]

Here you go.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/144986-Rose-breasted-Grosbeak?highlight=rose-breasted+grosbeak

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Isaac, lovely show off pose, and nicely framed in the V of the foliage. Good DOF throughout the image, and you have brought out the feather detail and exposure very well on the Grosbeak. Always great to have a cooperative subject - you just shoot away with plenty different shots and comps.

[Arthur Morris]

Here you go.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/144986-Rose-breasted-Grosbeak?highlight=rose-breasted+grosbeak

Thanks. I far prefer that one ...

with love, artie

[Isaac Grant]

Glad you like the other one. The guy was so cooperative that I walked away from it and moved back to make images with more space and the bird smaller in the frame. The spot was really good as there was a hill with a steep drop off below where i was and the bird was at the tops of trees with sparse vegetation, but the tops of the trees were at eye level from where I was. Gave plenty of chances to get all different types of shots.

[Alex Becker]

Nice one Isaac.I really like how the leaves frame the bird. The BG is nice as well. Look back pose is cool and not something I've seen before. I haven't gotten a proper shot of these guys, so very jealous! TFS

[Joseph Przybyla]

I like your first posted image better, the feathers appear better. But as you said the back needs some love also. I would lose the twig poking it in the chest as Artie suggested. Thank you for sharing, Isaac.

[Bill Dix]

Tough to get these guys at eye level, as you say. It sounds like you found a great spot. I love the classic frontal view of the species, but it's nice to see the reverse side as you have so nicely captured here.

[annmpacheco]

Well done Isaac, I enjoyed both of your posts. Its very nice to see such an unobstructed perch with interesting intact leaves. Process looks excellent for the ISO and it is a beautiful composition. I would also remove the chest twig...

[William Dickson]

Very nice indeed. I really like the BG here and the perch. Lovely detail on the bird and the small show of red adds. I already commented on your other image of this bird...Nice work Isaac.

Will

[Isaac Grant]

Thanks everyone for the comments and critiques. It is always good to hear others thoughts about pose, head angle, cloning and crops. The comments are always appreciated and a testament to this site. It is in my opinion the best place on the web for bird photographers to learn and am always happy to be a part of the BPN community. There just is not anything else like it where people give open and honest critiques and share ideas and opinions.

[David Salem]

Besides the bird being a little ratty, this one looks great. I really like the composition with the branches and leaves framing the subject well and that BG is beautiful. Well done