Purple Sunbird

[Zoltan Kovacs]

http://ic2.pbase.com/o2/56/689056/1/127857407.EopSpmcw._MG_1339aaa.jpg

Purple sunbird(Nectarinia asiatica)

40D + 400/5.6 + 2xTC
1/100s f/11.0 at 800.0mm iso800

Welcome every C&C

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp. Perfect head angle. And with the flower, having the bird dead center works fine. What is the little black crud on top of the head???

May we assume that you focused manually?

[Dave Blinder]

Hi Zoltan, great HA and comp. Ideally the bird's bill wouldn't intersect with the leaf's edge but this would still be a nice keeper shot for me.

[Zoltan Kovacs]

Thanks the comments for everybody!
Of course it was manual focus. The "little black crud"? I don't know what is. Here is the 100% crop:
http://ic2.pbase.com/o2/56/689056/1/127877367.IuhoQUUY._MG_1339cc.jpg

This photo taken in Pakistan. This is "eclipse male".
Eclipse plumage male is similar to female but with dark stripe down centre of throat.

Regards,
Zoltan

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Z. And thanks for the info. Whatever it is, I would lose it as it distracts.

Did you focus manually?

[Zoltan Kovacs]

Did you focus manually?

Yes I did.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Z. That's what I figured. Some folks use the tape the pins trick. IAC, you did very well. Note to all: to use the 400 with the 2X and focus manually it is imperative that you be working on a tripod.

[Jim Neiger]

Nice bird and pose. You have managed to make a cluttered bg look pleasing as well.