One of Australia's highly endangered and rarer species found only in some of the remotest and hostile parts of the arid inland. Many people seek these birds out, from the locals to overseas tourists, but they are rarely seen let alone photographed, and a habit of sticking to the dense and spiny Spinifex Grass, they don't fly....most people go home disappointed without even a glimpse.
But pleasingly, and as once in a lifetime luck would have it, I scored several images right in front of me. I was actually lying down on the sand photographing Dragon Lizards, and caught a glimpse of something scurrying off from a bush, a minute late this pair of Wrens came out and proceeded to bathe in the dust a short distance away....WOOT !!!
Ideally a bigger dof would be nicer, and admittedly the image is flawed in more ways, but soooooo pleased to of scored an opportunity with this species, doubtful it will ever happen again.
Canon 7D + 500 f4....f5.6, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.3EV, hand held, hot day, bright clear skies.....selective sharpen, noise reduction to backdrop, cloned out a few grey grass stems from foreground
I'd say you did quite well Phil. A pair of rare birds with the main bird in sharp focus and properly exposed. The adrenaline surge you get when you see something extraordinary through the viewfinder can mess up even the most experienced photographer. The low angle works well, and I like the raised tail feathers on both birds. Congrats!
Mazel tov. Love the image design and those birds. And the story. A contrast mask on the face of the far bird would likely help: 15/65/0. If the rear bird had turned its head a bit towards you you would have been famous! All in all, very well done.
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Hey Phil - as a wise man once told me - a big part of bird photography is just "being there". Good things happen when you are. Great story and very nice image to go with it.
Nice image of a hard to find and photograph species. I have never seen this species and have spent time looking for similar species out there with little luck. Nice image.
A lifer Phil, and a terrific photo at that!
Just keeping it together when you see something like this is a feat.
The IQ is nice, the poses are cool, you could not ask for more with a rare bird sighting.
Congratulations and thanks for showing this.
Hi Phil, congrats on your rare find, and nicely in the open for such a low angle. I like symmetrically cocked tails. I do like how the colour of the BG in the ULC complements the Wrens.
Terrific capture ,Phil . Especially the rarity factor here.
I love the symmetry of the cocked tails . The small 'flaws' mentioned pale into insignificance when appreciating what you have captured. Nice story and TFS .Congrats !!
Nongatulations on your amazing finding, Phil. The picture looks very nice. As you mentioned a larger DOF would have worked better for the one in the back, but great shot none the less.
How excciting for you Phil, mist have been hard not to shake, you didnt and the resulting image is great!
The colours are sweet as is the design, particularly like the tails. Afine contribution indeed and just shows what can be done with dedicaion anda bit of good fortune
Once in a Lifetime
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