Pygmy Nuthatch

[Vivek Khanzode]

Hi folks,

Have been out of circulation for some time due to work and family commitments. Here is a picture of the "pygmy nuthatch" taken yesterday in the Santa Cruz mountains (south of San Jose, CA).

Technical details: Shot with Canon 300 f/1.8L with a 2X converter on a tripod. Second of a series of shots. PP included NR, sharpening and small amount of curves adjustment. Almost full frame; cropped about 10% on the left side.

All C&C is appreciated.

http://www.khanzode.net/forums/2009/09/200909_0003_pygmy_nuthatch_nsn.jpg

-- Vivek

[Randy Stout]

Vivek:

An attractive little guy. Nice exposure with excellent detail on the wing, not quite as sharp on the eye to me.

The comp is a little tight, and some more room, esp. to the top and left would help IMO.

The angle of the bird in the frame is the major limitation for me. A shot from the back works best if the head is turned parallel to the sensor.

Randy

[Ilija Dukovski]

Very nice bird and excellent detail on the plumage.
Very good close capture.
Randy got you great comments about the image.
The problem here is the head angle, a good one would
solve the issues of focus too. I'd only add that you could
improve the look of the eye in PS by cloning out some of the
catch-light.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good points from above, with the biggest concerns of course being the HA and critical focus. I'm wondering if you boosted the saturation? I'm finding the blues a bit much, and I expect a bit richer brown on the crown (with less blue in it)? Perhaps adding some warmth in WB would help. Anyhow, cute little fella and he really does look small!

[Harshad Barve]

Agreed with most of the points covered by Randy here
But what a cool species this is ,
TFS