Waxwing portrait

[Ivan Ellison]

I know we moan a lot about the dull grey skies in Manchester but you just have to get on with it and hope something turns out. Here is todays effort. I think it has an oriental feel to it.
Approx 75% of full frame, brightened and warmed up as the orig is rather flat and dull. Cloned a couple of little twigs that were near the birds tail/feet. Increased clarity and saturation slightly. Sharpened the bird twice in PSE 10 (once after resizing). Blur tool to the BG to smooth out the noise.
Canon 1D mkIV,
Canon 500 f4 is
ISO 1000
1/320
f4

[Shawn Zierman]

It has a feel to it for certain. I believe Alice passes this exact scene while lost in Wonderland!
I love this shot. It so unlike most of what I have seen of this species. It'a a waxwing fairytale.
So lush, green, with pink fruit to eat...I love it sir. Would not change a thing.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Gorgeous image Ivan. Beautiful colors and perfect perch and back drop. I wonder if it would work to crop from the top to just below the top berries as it might focus more attention on the subject...but it is great as it is. Well done!

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great pose and colors.

[PhilCook]

Overall very nice indeed, I think the light is good , and yes to the oriental look, I rather like the twig and berries hanging over it's head....almost resembling a n oriental lantern. I do wish the oof green branch behind the vertical twig wasn't there though.

The bird itself is very nice and making eye contact with the photographer too, nice even dof and fine detail is there as well, the color is excellent

[Karl Egressy]

Great pose and colours, nice perch and the placement of the bird seems to be good as well. Some cleaning , prettying the background would improve the image.

[Tim King]

Checks every box for me. Fine job, Ivan.