Images of feeding Bohemian Waxwings are a dime a dozen because that is pretty much all they do, but here is a drinking behaviour image that I was rather happy to get. They kept coming down to the same watering spot so I just lay down close to it in the hopes they would return...and indeed they did. Yes, I do wish that leaf intersecting the foot was not there, but this is already only about 70% FF and I do like to crop more (just a self-discipline I have) and also because I love the bird's claw on the ice.
Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/2000s., f/6.3, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, some specular highlights removed form the grey leaf touching the bird, and the yellow one was toned down lots (it was blown).
Beautiful capture of the unique drinking behaviour! I especially love the waterdrops. I agree that it would have been perfect if the leaf wasn't in the way.
Looks like you're right down at water-level for this one Daniel. A super sharp close-up of the Waxwing drinking and loving the water droplets. I agree if only that leaf........
Drinking birds are one of my favorites and I really like this one. It always amazes me that all but the hummingbirds must take a beak full of water than sit upright to let it drain into the stomach. (next time - note to self: clean up the waterhole before making images ;-) I don't mind the leaf but it is a tad distracting.
Awesome intimate view of this behavior sir. The tightness of the comp almost makes
the leaf irrelevant imo, but I can also see some room for different versions with a crop
either eliminating the leaf or diminishing it's presence. Sounds like you've been a bit
spoiled with the bohemians if you think feeding images are a "dime a dozen". Folks
in southern climes rarely even get to see this bird!
This is really cool.
Love the water droplet in the air.
The IQ and feather details are awesome.
Great idea from Don to clean up the area if you know the birds will be there. Another lesson learned for me,
It behooves me to point out that an interesting, artful, well-executed, and emotive image of a bohemian waxwing feeding is ANYTHING but a dime-a-dozen. As for this picture: of course the leaf and stick at frame's right are distracting, and certainly the image would be stronger without these distractions. That said, the fascinating natural history trumps the distractions, leaving us with a very interesting image to look at. A natural history image needn't be painfully pretty!
I love the low and intimate look at this bird. The two flying droplets add a ton of interest. Oh man, if only that leaf wasn't hiding part of the foot. I love it anyway. Great planning and execution!
Daniel, great detail throughout the feathers and nice colors on the bird. The leaf on the right detracts a bit, but I'm not sure I would want to crop it out (aspect ratio). Great timing, too!
Neat image Daniel. The water droplets & the water on the bill are wonderful touch. The leaf is immaterial to me as it provides a sense of place, indicates the time of the year and it compliments the ice in this regard. TFS.
Drinking Behaviour Bohemian Waxwing.
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