Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)

I'm ready for critics, and i know that i don't have to cut wing tips, but with hard lens for me is difficult to predict how long are birds wings in flight...Thanks in advance...

Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Shooting Date/Time 5/31/2008 9:46:03 AM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1250
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF300mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
Focal Length 420.0 mm
Image Quality RAW
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode One-Shot AF

You came close on this one! Pretty bird and BG. You pointed out the clipped wing, but another issue is that the bird is not in focus. It looks like you were focused on the perch and the bird took off towards you. Not enough DOF to cover the area the bird chose to fly into. You might think about increasing your ISO (perhaps a slightly slower shutter speed) and using a smaller aperture in this type of photographic situation. Thanks for posting.

Boris,

Capturing this type if image where the bird is launching off of the bush towards you can be very hard as the AF misses the target and does not reacquire the bird in time. The plant is very sharp. At 1/1250, shutter speed is fast enough to freeze him so it is a loss of focus the contributes to the bird's softness.

The background is great and the perch not dominating the image. You could try more DOF (pump ISO to 800) or pre-focusing manually in front of the perch and hope he flys the right direction.

Thanks for this ideas guys, i appreciate...

i cant add anything that robert and doug didnt already say, but good luck!! i hope to see some more from the future.

Hi Boris Agree with previous and got a suggestion. Try making the same image but without the converter. When you expect the bird to fly off do give yourself lots of room. Lots of time I will select an AF point below the center.

Excellent capture. You might want to take time to re built the wing !!! Robert O'toole's CD will show you every step of the way !!!!

Nice setting, BG and pose. Great advice, the ISO bump should help. In the BG there are some jpg artifacts visible.

Nice capture,
No nits from me; all techs have been covered...:D