Japanese Waxwing II

[Craig Brelsford]

This is my second thread featuring a Japanese waxwing.* A mixed flock of Japanese and bohemians have been feasting on berries at a park in a suburban area of Shanghai. Japanese waxwings are classified as near-threatened because of habitat loss and the caged-bird trade. They are rarely seen in Shanghai.

Device: Nikon D3S
Lens: VR 600mm F/4G
Focal length: 600mm
VR: ON
Aperture: F/5
Shutter Speed: 1/200
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Exposure Comp.: +0.7EV
Metering: Center-Weighted
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1000

*The first thread is here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?76082-Japanese-Waxwing&highlight=

[James Fuller]

I like the colors and raised crest of the bird. I only wish the two partial berries didn't intersect with the bird. Also think this would work well as a vertical.
http://www.pbase.com/jamesfuller/image/130807726/original.jpg

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Both versions work for me! it's a shame to know that this is an endangered species.
My only suggestion is to increase the color temp. a little.

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Craig,

Lovely image with the berries providing a distinct Japanese feel to the composition. Nice HA and exposure on the bird. Just seems a little light in my monitor.

[Craig Brelsford]

Hi Juan, thanks to you and everyone for the comments. Juan, the Japanese waxwing is classified as near-threatened, not endangered, by BirdLife International. The entry "Near Threatened" in Wikipedia may be helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Threatened

[Bhushan Dalvi]

Craig , I like the this one as lot as the berries like Pieter say provides a disctinct Japanese feel to it. I think croping it slightly tighter and getting rid of the two distracting corners would add to this already nice image.

[Craig Brelsford]

Hi Pieter, hi Bhushan! Interesting what you guys had to say about the "Japanese" feel. I'm of course in Shanghai, not Japan, as I'm sure you know. Also, the Japanese waxwing is really more a Russian or Siberian bird, as it does most of its breeding there (plus China). The Japanese waxwing only winters in Japan; it doesn't breed there.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I like the muted pastel like colors but prefer James' crop. JR

[Pieter de Waal]

Thanks for the info Craig so good to learn about and see birds outside our immediate environment which is what makes BPN so interesting and enjoyable.