White-breasted Nuthatch

[Bill Dix]

One of my regular backyard visitors, taken earlier this month. C&C always appreciated.

D7000, 500f4 + 1.4TC, ISO 800, 1/1600s @ f/7.1 manual, tripod

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Very nice Bill! Very nice timing for a lovely pose. The bg here really helps the bird pop a bit. The details in the feathers are great throughout. I would only say that the head could use a little more sharpening (just a tad bit around the eye).

[Melissa Groo]

Super portrait, Bill, with excellent detail, and IQ. I like the textures in the bird's feathers against the textures of the tree. Interesting and different view to see the beak open. Was it vocalizing?

[Randy Stout]

Bill:

Sharp, well exposed, classic nuthatch pose, like the texture of the vine on the trunk, helps break up the mass. Open bill and trace of tongue a plus.

Agree about the head, not quite as sharp as the back.

Cheers

Randy

[Bill Dix]

Super portrait, Bill, with excellent detail, and IQ. I like the textures in the bird's feathers against the textures of the tree. Interesting and different view to see the beak open. Was it vocalizing?

Hi Melissa. You just had to ask, didn't you (I knew someone would). Actually, I removed a sunflower seed from his beak.

BTW: I just saw one of your fine Wood Duck images in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Annual Report. Congrats!

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Miguel and Randy. I thought the head looked pretty sharp on the tiff; but I can see what you mean. Here's a repost with some selective sharpening on the head. Hope I didn't go too far.

[John Cooper]

A great pose of the nuthatch Bill and love the open bill (vocalizing or otherwise) - noted the improvement in the repost but original looked fine to me. Good texture in the perch and lovely BG really makes this image pop.

[dankearl]

I thought the OP was sharp enough, the repost looks fine.
The classic pose and very nice.

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot!!!
Love the perch, wonderful background, terrific pose, and excellent feather detail.
Repost looks good.
Wel done.

Oh and good job cloning out that seed would have never known.
Great PP work.

[David Salem]

Nice shot Bill. Very classic nuthatch pose. Exposed well and full of detail. The head pops nicely against that nice green BG. Re-post looks great. Nice clone job too.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you everyone.

[Satish Ranadive]

Bill Sir:
Fabulous image.Love the great pose,colors,details and lovely BG on which bird pops up nicely.

Regards,
Satish.