Straight Down the Barrel: Cedar Waxwing

[Allen Hirsch]

First avian image outside ETL (the theme got me; otherwise, it's back to ETL).

I THOUGHT I had a number of candidates for this month's theme, but when I went back and looked, most were not really straight down the barrel (probably b/c that's not a flattering look or pose, usually - so I seldom shoot that pose).

This cedar waxwing flock showed up just twice all winter, and both times raided the tree over the fence behind us. This waxwing showed off its berry harvest89639.

40D + 300L f4 + 1.4x, handheld; ISO 1000, f7.1, 1/200 (very overcast day).

[Robert Amoruso]

Allen,

Because of the position, I think you can crop much of the right side off.

Even though it is overcast and light diffused, flash would have made a big difference here by opening up shadows and evening out the light.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey Allen, thanks for participating in this month's theme! I like how you got this individual with a berry in the bill while look down the barrel. Nice colours and I like the fresh-looking foliage. I agree with Robert that fill flash would have given good results here. Looks to be a fairly large crop?