Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) Matcham Valley NSW

Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) Matcham Valley NSW
Canon EOS 40D Lens 100-400mm L IS USM at 160mm ISO 500 F 5.0 1/1600 580EXII Flash 1 September 2010
Pied Currawongs are assertive birds with a presence that demands attention. On this occasion there were numbers of them and they assume various poses. My main problem was a dull day and rain forest as background, a challenging task given a mostly black bird with a dark background. The sheen on the plumage was attractive and helped greatly. Comments please?
Best regards
Rod Warnock

Rod, I like it a lot. I can't remember ever photographing a black bird against a nearly black BKGR. The flash really opens up the bird and the perch. That lemon yellow eye shines like a beacon in the mostly very dark image. I see a lot of detail (as well as noise) in the birds plumage, but the noise is expected and tolerable. If it were mine, I would remove more noise from the BKGR. Well done!

I think you've done well in difficult conditions here, Rod. Flash was essential and you've done it well. Typical inquisitive Currawong pose and the eye makes a great focal point. Darkening down the sheen on the beak may be an option to explore.

Very well done, Rod. The black bird actualy pops off of the very dark bg. Excellant use of flash here. Nice pose, perch and bird too. I like the composition as well.