Veery in the dew..

The veery can be a shy and retiring North American Thrush. This bird was more focused on foraging on worms and small insects versus being shy, during this cold wet migratory
day in Duluth, Minnesota. The song of this species is something special! Canon7d, Sigma50/500os(image made at 244mm!), iso800, f8, 1/250, cropped, selective NR to bg/fg,
selective USM of subject. No attractants used...just crawling around getting filthy...which was not at all attractive :)
Comments and critiques welcome.
Regards,
Shawn Zierman.

OK, I just noticed something here....7D??? Since when??:S3:

This reminds me a bit of a Northern Flicker image you posted last year, and I like this one just as much. The Veery is indeed a retiring bird and can be tough to photograph. I love the dewy grass...way to go getting down and dirty for this.

This is just stunningly beautiful! Great detail on the bird and perfect DOF. The soft BG is lovely and the dew droplets are just OOF enough to complement the bird without distracting.

What would you think about removing the one grass blade coming in from the right with droplets all along it? It pulls my eye away from the rest of the gorgeous image.

Hi Shawn, good low perspective, and love how the belly blends into the FG. Love the pose, well exposed and sharp, and the dew drops takes this over the top. With all that dew about, you probably ended up more wet than filthy. :w3

Shawn,
The due drops add a lot of character to the image and i love that
Bird is nicely captured and good exposure and details, love it
in a perfect world one of the dew drops layer grass blade would have been in focus too, but then in wildlife there is no perfect world
Lovely image

I rather like the oof grasses, I think it adds to the cold wet theme here...a little foggy perhaps is the effect, The pose of the bird is nice, and sharp where it counts, lovely glossy eye as well. Must say though my eye continues to go for the one distinct blade of grass

A lovely close up shot.
I really like the blade of grass on the right and would leave it in.
My only wish would be for the blade of grass intersecting with the body to be gone.
Great IQ and spot-on exposure,
Gail

Super low view Shawn and the IQ is really nice.
A very attractive bird that I don't believe I have ever seen.
I really like how the sharpness on the face fades into the grasses at the bottom.
Nice work!

I agree with all of the comments and crits. Killer detail and a beautiful overall scene. Im with Gail on wishing the blades of grass didnt cut across the body but not a biggie. Very nice Shawn!

Beautiful image Shawn,good detail and sharp were it matters,nice pose,nice soft light.well done.

really well made image. lovely POV, comp, details & pose

Magnificent image in beautiful the dewy grass.
Very nice composition.

Regards,
Satish.