American Pipit and Prey (Sort of)

[Daniel Cadieux]

From a few weeks back. As I was photographing another pipit, this one showed up with a huge dragonfly in its' bill. I did not have enough time to focus on it and photograph the situation as it it quickly dropped the food item, and I am bummed about that as it was just perfect. I did get a couple of frames with the wings partially showing on the ground such as here (see lower left corner). The pipit then picked it up, facing away from me of course, and tried in vain to swallow it as it walked away from me and then flew out...nothing good came out of that unfortunately, but it was a cool observation nonethelesss.

Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/500s., f/6.3, ISO 400 (histogram checked), handheld, small crop for comp, some highlights tamed in the BG via low opacity clone stamp. Burned the LRC as it was too bright and dominating. Audio used to lure the subjects onto photographic range.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the details, exposure, sharpness, pose and BG. The dragonfly would have made it even better but still a great image. Well done Daniel.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

A pitty you were not able to catch the pick moment but still the image and the story behind the image makes for a great picture. Thanks for sharing.

[John Cooper]

Don't you just hate that Daniel when you just miss out on a magic shot..!! But still a very nice portrait of the Pipit in an attractive stance. The low perspective also works well here.

[dankearl]

I really like the DOF here, Daniel.
The Pipit looks like has walked out of the fog.
A nice effect.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

I also love the DOF and smooth background. Pity you missed the action however still a lovely image. The FG stones make a really nice perch, cool shot Daniel.

[David Salem]

Great detail and exposure control. Perfect pose and HA. Figures on the dragonfly, happens to me all the time. Great low angle and FG but the FG on the right is a little distraction but not a big one. Well done..

[Karl Egressy]

Striking Pipit shot, having food item or not, Daniel.

[Jack Breakfast]

Ah! To lose the dream shot! Quite sweet as-is, and it's the wings at bottom left that really elevate this picture from "pretty and nice" to "mysterious and engaging", or so I say. Kudos on getting so close to an AP, audio or not...