Meadowlark

I captured quite a few images of meadowlarks recently on the dirt road that leads out to Joe Overstreet Park at Kissimee Lake. This one stood out from the others as unique because of the lifted right foot, so that's why I chose this one to post. I shot this one with the 40d, and I'm finding that the images from that camera are not as clean as those from the Mark IIN.

Image details: Canon 40d with Canon 100-400L IS lens at 250mm, iso 800, 1/250 sec at f5.6 in Av mode, partial metering, hand-held. cropped to improve composition,

Tim,

Nice work here Tim. BG is great, bird nicely positioned in the frame and got a foot raised.

Though not a negative, you got him in his molt so he is not looking as good as usual - I have them like this too. Later in the year they look magnificent.

Tim
I agree about not being in "prime plumage" but the raised leg, beautiful BG and sharpness sure makes up for it. Well done. I agree with your take on the 40D. I had one for a short while and sold it as I still like the images from my 1DMkIIN best. Well done.

I can't get nowhere near these guys up here, I'd be happy with anything resembling this image :-) There is an odd jagged look throughout the finished product here (hard to explain)...perhaps the way you optimized for web presentation?

Awesome shot great pose and comp. Well Done Tim!!!

Cute pose Tim. I like everything about it. I have a 40D and a Mark III, and the pixel quality of the Mark III is far superior to the 40D. And the 40D is no slouch.

I think Daniel has hit onto something as to the processing for web display. It appears to be oversharpened, (on the back top side of the feathers) and or over saturated (on the yellows). It is possible that is what we are seeing. I do not have a 40D, but I do shoot the MK2n and the 5D. I love both. You do good work Tim. The raised foot is huge plus to this image.

Love the pose and brilliant colors.