Lapland Longspur

[Declan Troy]

I know there are a couple of sparrow fanciers out there.

The vegetation may be a bit busy for some although except for the strands by the head it doesn't bother me too much.

50D, iso 200, 700 (500 x 1.4), f 5.6, 1/1000

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4793307445_aceaf4daf8_b.jpg

[Fabs Forns]

Great HA and eye contact. I like the foreground, only wish for a little more of it, a bit tight at bottom. The vegetation in the BG could be toned down some as not to distract from the subject. Too light as presented IMO.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great to see one in full breeding plumage! I like the angle and eye contact and agree with Fabs on crop and BG.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Not a big sparrow fan but love this one. color and detail are stunmning.

[Declan Troy]

Thanks all. Indeed it could use more foreground (crowberries make a nice substrate), more all around as far as I'm concerned as I tend to like some environment around my birds. This was one of those cases where the bird proved a bit too friendly and was so close that there is no more foreground. It was all I could do to get the bird in the frame without clipping the tail. I've taken the hint to darken it a bit but am a bit fearful of loosing detail in the blacks.

[Dan Busby]

A lovely bird, well presented Declan. I find the grasses a bit distracting but agree that it is good to keep some habitat in the picture.