The hardest oponent in the world

I while ago I posted a similar photo in the Avian forum and it got removed....now I try it here.

I guess many people wonder what this photo is about. When I sent it to an ornithologist friend his reply was: "Amazing what one can do with Photoshop".
Yesterday I headed out to photograph shorebirds. As I stopped at the lagoon a mangrove warbler flew by and started attacking my mirror. I didn't bother first and checked the activities in the lagoon, but that I got my camera and took many shots. Eventually took a perch and mounted it to the mirror with a roll of electric tape, so the little one can take a proper rest while fighting it's own reflection....and to take some other shots for myself:). I will post it in the avian later on.
Bird photography is such a complex thing...need good light, good equipment, patience, right settings, a lot of luck....but sometimes you only need a roll of electric tape, big car mirrors and a crazy little bird.

1DMKIV
500mm+1.4TC(Sigma)
ISO640
1/1000
f: 8
handheld

Attachment 152792

Thank you for posting this here. I admire the image and your resourcefulness in giving the warbler a perch so you get photograph this. The colors work very nicely together, and it's a treat to see the bird's activity.

Fun story!
Gail

Great pic & great story! Great color.

A clever set up with mirror and a very nice resulting image. Nice details. Nice composition. Nice colors. The smudges on the mirror work--they look like an applied texture.

This is wonderful!! Too bad it wasn't appreciated in Avian.

Ha! What a cack! Man, this is a great result for your efforts.
Just the other week I had a hire car and a bird was doing the same thing on the passenger mirror while I was at traffic lights. So funny!
TFS

Well done! I really like the larger-than-life look of the bird and his fierce opponent in the mirror! All the details work very well together to tell the story; fine feather detail on the warbler, not so crisp on the reflection and those wonderful streaks and smudges on the mirror. I have seen birds do this before and never thought I could get a picture to tell the story properly. You did a super job! Glad you posted in OOTB.

Kudos for recognizing and capitalizing on the opportunity. The spots and streaks on the mirror make the image IMHO.

great story and shot.