Nuthatch staring contest.

[Daniel Cadieux]

As much as these guys are very photogenic from a profile view, I always thought they looked rather comical straight-on. This individual stayed frozen in this pose for a few seconds before a Red Squirrel startled it away. Virtually full-frame (cropped a tiny bit bottom and right to balance comp.)

Canon 40D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exp., eval metering, 1/250s., f/6.3, ISO 640, natural light, handheld.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/dancad/tn_White-breastedNuthatch_3243-01.jpg

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Did he stare you down? :) I like the pose and raised beak.

[Fabs Forns]

OMG, how cool can this be??? I love the perspective, Daniel :)

[Steve Maxson]

An interesting view, Daniel. Good detail in the whites and good sharpness around the head. A little more DOF would strengthen the image, IMO. I'll have to try to capture this pose with some of the nuthatches around my locale.

[Tony Whitehead]

This is great, Dan. You have done well to get the eyes and most of the bill sharp.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

GREAT capture Daniel and talk about being up close !!!! Love the angle of this capture and the pose and excellent eye contact. Congratulations !!

[Rich Ikerd]

Definitely a different point of view Daniel. Easy to see why it makes you smile.