I made this image in the magical gardens at Maynooth in Southern Ireland in 2006. The Spotted flycatcher is one of my favourite birds to watch and sadly the species is all but extinct as a breeding species in my county, and it is not doing well in the UK, owing to problems at wintering sites (Africa) and survival rates of first year birds. There has been about a 90% decrease in the population numbers since 1967 of this migratory bird.
Canon 20D, Sigma 500f4.5 and tripod.
ISO 200
f4.5
1/160th Sec
Elements 2, very small crop, levels and sharpening.
02-14-2016, 01:14 PM
John Robinson
Love it ! One of the nicest of the species that I,ve seen. Certainly dropped around here too. I pair last year.
Cheers
John
02-14-2016, 03:44 PM
John Rowell
A real beauty, I love the size of the bird in this image. The light and focus really brings your eye right to the bird. Very good details and catch light. The oof needles add a nice softness. If you were so inclined, maybe blur or remove the branches in the very upper right and the 1 dark needle on the upper left. Still, a very fine image.
02-14-2016, 04:12 PM
keith mitchell
Adrian you have got this bird to pop out of the very nice setting very well, often think getting small in the frame and keeping detail is difficult but looking at this it is not for yourself, very nice indeed.
Keith.
02-14-2016, 05:55 PM
Lorant Voros
I like the way it pops through the green OOF tree tops. I'd sharpen the bird a little less. TFS.
02-15-2016, 02:15 AM
christopher galeski
nice capture,Ilike how the bird stands out with the nice green BG,some nice detail.TFS.
02-15-2016, 09:30 AM
Satish Ranadive
Excellent image with artistic BG. Very nice look back pose and composition.
Regards,
Satish.
02-15-2016, 02:22 PM
dankearl
Size in the frame is perfect for the theme.
I might get rid of the branches in the upper right corner.
02-15-2016, 03:31 PM
Bill Dix
The bird pops out nicely against the rather artistic tangle of pine branches. I like it. Sadly this is the fate of many small passerines. Migrating birds need to have their habitats protected at both the breeding and non-breeding ends of the route, and everywhere in between.
02-15-2016, 07:28 PM
Joseph Przybyla
I echo the previous comments, interesting image well done. Your comments regarding this bird is so true of many. Thank you for sharing, Adrian.
02-16-2016, 07:12 PM
Diane Miller
Wow -- just gorgeous! What a gorgeous setting, with the bird so sharp -- well done and a pleasure to view! And a sad story about the difficulties of survival.
02-17-2016, 03:24 AM
Glennie Passier
Chiming in late and all the good things already said. I almost didn't open up the thumbnail. Gee, I am glad I did! Simply beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing. Very sad about their declining population...mainly due to "pollution, and insecticides and habitat conversion!"
Thank you for sharing!
02-22-2016, 02:20 AM
arash_hazeghi
very nice Adrian, I like the top side view, nice perch too. I wish the OOF branches in the FG weren't there, a cleaner view with less distraction around the bird would take it to the top