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From a few days ago, on a pleasant morning walk a couple of days before the temperature soared into the high 90's here. (Between the hot humid weather and the deafening roar of the Cicada invasion, it hasn't been very pleasant to venture outside for the last few days.)
D500, Sigma 150-600C @ 600mm, ISO 800, 1/1000s @ f/6.3 manual. HH.
Really nice subject that I rarely get a look at. While I really like the foliage, the large leaf really does overwhelm the bird.
Great color, lighting, IQ, and composition, but I agree with Dan about the single big leaf overwhelming the bird. That said, this looks like a perfectly natural view of this species. So, I'd definitely hang onto this shot if it were mine!
Bill, high on my shot list. Props for getting a nice clean pose of this species and on some interesting foliage to boot.
Despite the size of leaves and the stem coming in from right, the best part is that they all frame the subject. Plus the rich colors on the Bunting draw the attention.
I feel like perhaps the large leaf is more in focus than the bird? Might just be me.
Well captured overall though Bill.
I like this one a lot bill, I am ok with the large leaf because it is sharp and it's texture adds more depth and interest, would it be ideal if it were 20-30% smaller? yes but not such a big deal as is IMO
TFS
Hi Bill ... works very well as presented .
Very nice attractive subject .... love the perch and the nice isolation from the BG .
No idea , how to get the impression that this one leaf is overwhelming the super cool and pretty subject :w3:S3:.... but hey tastes can vary .
Love this shot ... nice work
TFS Andreas
Add me to the ones who likes the large leaf. If there is one element I could live without it would be the stem curling up above the head. In any case, a neat grouping of foliage, and a way-cool bird - both set against an excellent background. Are you going to be looking for cicadas to photograph?
Great view of this bunting. The way the branches and leaves frame the bird are very nice. Background is solid as well.
Thank you all for your comments.
Daniel, I don't need to look far for cicadas to photograph. My neighborhood has approximately one Bazillion of them. I've read that birds are feasting on them, so I've been looking to photograph a bird catching one in flight, or at least carrying one in his bill. But for some strange reason I haven't seen them being eaten, and in fact my feeder-bird population has decreased dramatically. Maybe the birds have gone elsewhere, but I don't know why, since I am at Ground Zero of the invasion. I did see a Mississippi Kite flying overhead -- a first after forty-some years in this house. Cicadas are one of the MIKI's favorite foods.
My only image of a cicada is of one trapped in the bill of a Purple Martin returning to feed chicks - perhaps a good spot to check you have access to a Purple Martin condo near you:S3:
