Parasites

[jack williamson]

These are Brown Headed Cowbirds, male and female. They do not build nests, the female will lay her eggs in another birds nest. I have seen small warblers feeding juvenile cowbirds that were three times the warblers' size, funny sight. Nikon D700, 300mm, 1.4 tc, tripod. Adjusted levels, S/H, USM in CS3. This is full frame. These birds came to a set up. 1/80, f6.3, iso800.

[Gary Esman]

Nice perch, background and both birds are sharp. Nice.

Gary.

[Paul Lagasi]

Both birds are sharp but the brown detail on the male is awesome. It is tough getting the exposure right on the males and you nailed it. Lovely setup perch and background.

[dankearl]

This is very nice Jack, Great to get both heads sharp and the perch and BG are your usual nice quality.
I assume 1/80 is a typo or your birds were very still.

[Arthur Morris]

Ditto all the positives above. In an ideal world the heads of both birds would be turned towards us enough to parallel the birds' bodies and the back end of the male would not have been twisted away from you.

[jack williamson]

Thanks all. Dan it was 1/80 ss. It was very cloudy and dark and the techs are what they were.

Jack

[Satish Ranadive]

Fabulous image with lovely composition.Beautiful perch and bg. Loved the details on cowbirds. Never seen these bird before.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jack, great double, and to see the difference between male and female. Yes, the browns in the male look good, and both heads sharp. Love the BG too.

As a matter of interest, where was your focus point? I ask, as in situations like this, to get both in the DOF range, I would focus on the perch between the two birds, and most times, everything is in focus. As long as they are not too far apart. :w3

[jack williamson]

Thanks for the comments guys. Stuart I focused on the males' head then recomposed. I shot several frames before they moved but this one was the sharpest and best composed.

Jack

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for the feedback Jack. Next time , try my method and compare the results. :w3