Tree Candy

[PhilCook]

Just from a few days ago sitting in the car outside the local shops, one of the Gum trees in the car park was in flower and the Lorikeets were getting their fill of nectar. A fairly common species of parrot called a Musk Lorikeet, nothing unusual to see them like this. As usual the camera was in the car so rattled off a few images from the car window, dam hard to get a shot with them separated from the tree foliage, but I liked the typical feeding behaviour among the Gum flowers.

Not good lighting conditions, wintry skies and dull light as is the norm here at the moment

Canon 7D + 500 f4 + 1.4 x TC.....700mm, f8, ISO 40, 1/250...flash fired, hand held from car window...cropped and basic PS editing

[Randy Stout]

Phil:

Def. a riot of colors here! Sharp, well exposed, flash helped pop the colors.

Yes, rather busy, but in some ways, this image is more about the colors than the subject, at least to my eye.

Cheers

Randy

[PhilCook]

Phil:

Def. a riot of colors here! Sharp, well exposed, flash helped pop the colors.

Yes, rather busy, but in some ways, this image is more about the colors than the subject, at least to my eye.

Cheers

Randy

taa Randy.....get a bit tired of the bird on a stick sometimes so a natural habitat comp is a nice change. Actually as an added bit of trivia, these birds are exceedingly hard to spot among the foliage and flowers, they blend in amazingly well. Often you can hear dozens in a tree and not see a single one for quite some time

[Grace Scalzo]

Phil, You really undersold this image in your description. The dull light worked in your favor, allowing you to capture these beautiful colors. Love the habitat and even the flowers (including the spent and new buds) add interest. My suggestion would be to improve the composition. If you trimmed from the left (as viewed) and eliminated the one bright flower, my eye goes right in to the bird instead of being drawn to the edge. You'd probably want to add to the right to balance. The other thing is I think you need room for the virtual tail, so would add back to the top (if you have it). All in all, a very appealing image, well titled also.

[Doug Brown]

Wonderful image Phil. I think Randy's critique is spot on. The story is about the colors and how well the bird blends in to its surroundings.

[Ken Watkins]

Phil.

Now this is what I call colourful, busy but really natural

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Phil, a well captured behavioural image, and just love how the Lorikeet is holding on with one foot. I would like to see you try Grace's version with a bit off the left.

[Richard Unsworth]

Often you can hear dozens in a tree and not see a single one for quite some time

Nice colorful and pleasing env. shot. I know just what you mean here 50 parrots hit the fruit tree and vanish

[Karl Egressy]

Wow, the colours are overwhelming. Nice work, Phil.

[PhilCook]

Taa for looking folks, cant really add much more room to to the image as suggested, can see the value in the suggestions, but it was only cropped to vertical and my skills at adding canvas are limited. My thoughts regarding dull light are based on these birds have a natural glossy sheen to the feathers, which yes the dull skies have kept that under control by not blowing highlights, but as is it looks a little flat I think and not quite natural, just seems to lack " punch " I thought....I'm always my own worst critic hehehe

[gail bisson]

A happy image. Agree with Grace re:comp. I like the bright colors and the environment,
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

Phil,
Very sweet and colorful image.

Regards,
Satish.

[laurie golden]

Phil,

All I can do is agree with everyone that loves this photo just the way it is. Nice and different, background is great for me, it shows the natural habitat but all is uniform in depth and content and the real background is blurred. Great shot. You keep saying that it is winter and the light is bad but you keep coming up with great photos.

[Melvin Grey]

The 'soft' light has really enabled this image and kept that riot of colours, and BG detail under control. I think it is a great shot showing how even a brightly coloured bird like this can virtually disappear into its surroundings. Birds, when feeding, are at their most vulnerable to predators. Personally, I would prefer just a little less tight a crop.