The Wee Folk of Australia

Tiny Striated Thornbill no bigger than a golf ball, this one luckily came down for a look on a walk a few days ago....sometimes these Wee birds get curious and come in the check you out as did this one.

Canon 7D + 500 f4.....f5, 1/1000, ISO 800, no flash, hand held in natural setting..........cropped, and smoothed out backdrop to remove a lighter band of color from an oof tree trunk {but not sure if that was necessary or not, I didn't actually mind the original...but ? }also removed one of the small cones that was half cut off......selective sharpen and noise reduction to backdrop

This one put a big smile on my face. Love the bird, the image design, the BKGR, the SH, and especially the cones. Please tell me that this is a set-up. In an ideal world the bird would be a bit more parallel to the back of the camera. IAC, I still love it.

Striking image of thes little round bird, Phil. Love the perch, composition and background. fether details are excellent.

This image is really top notch in every respect. The details and sharpness are spot on . I love the little curve in the perch, the cocked head and the acorns!!! Let's not forget the perfect BG.

It's an awesome image mate, but I think it has a serious blue/magenta cast and is slight oversharpened
Hope you don't mind my re-post

Phil, this is beautiful image...love the perch and pose of bird...RP looks better.

This is one of your best pictures, Phil. Very cute, nice pose, perfect exposure and great perch. A winner for sure. Jan's repost works better for me.

Great capture Phil. awesome detail, and I think the sharpness is perfect and not crunchy at all. Not sure about the birds color but I like the OP best. One of your best in a while IMHO.

Very nice Phil, not knowing what the bird looks like it would be hard to tell if Jan's representation is more correct color wise than yours.

Thanks for looking, yes I think Jan is right about the color cast, I can see it now and it is remedied well

What a cute bird! Wonderful photo with very pleasing qualities.

I like the pose, perch, cones, details, exposure and complimentary BG. Well done Phil!

Hi Phil, before reading Jan's comment, I felt there was a slight magenta cast, especially visible on the perch and cone. Nontheless, cute little fellow, and after reading your description, all I can see is a golf ball. :w3 You certainly brought out the finer detail, and yes, that BG is sweet.

That's a stunning capture, Phil. The comp, pose, perch, light and bg - none of these could be any better.
To get a setting like this out on a walk - I suspect you have a way with birds :)