Bobolink (AKA R2-D2 Bird).

[Daniel Cadieux]

If you've ever heard this grassland species' song before you'll understand the title These guys do not often cooperate (at least for me), but this weekend they were more than willing to oblige! The only North American bird that is black underneath and white above.

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual epxosure, evaluative metering, 1/400s., f/8, ISO 800, natural light, handheld from car as blind (lens resting on window opening), usual eye work, FF. Audio.

[Jeannean Ryman]

He sure did cooperate. What a great backdrop for this pretty bird. Wonderful image Daniel!

[Bill Dix]

Great perch, pose, BG, and nice work on the exposure. One of my nemesis birds -- I've never gotten close to one despite their presence in the local grasslands.

[PhilCook]

Well done Daniel, never easy to get any bird out in the open like this.exposure perfect with so much detail retained in the blacks, love the post perch and smooth and colorful backdrop, although personal preference would be for the backdrop to be a little less strong in color

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Terrific execution, Daniel. And you positioned yourself so well here to get that BG. loved the view of the toes. perfectly exposed and processed. Well done.

[David Salem]

Very unique bird with cool colors. Almost looks like a setup. Exposure looks great as do the details. Nice perch and BG too. Nice work!

[dankearl]

I have never seen one.
A terrific looking bird on a ridiculously good natural perch.
Another very well done portrait.

[BobbyPerkins]

Excellent portrait, great full-frame comp & I know Exactly what you mean by the title. I also appreciate your effectiveness of the use of audio as it's something I've been recently learning to do. Your aticle was helpful and thanks. Also, looks like that new big lens & tc is making you a Drive-by shooter now.

[Diane Miller]

Amazing, wonderful detail and beautiful perch!

[vishaljadhav]

Great image, i love the details in the blacks
classic BG all is superb, love it

[arash_hazeghi]

very cool Dan, nice and sharp with a great pose

[Shawn Zierman]

Sweet image of this species. Light quality is really good for such a contrasty subject, love all the subsequent details
in the blacks on the bird. Dirt on the bill is a neat detail here too. Perch is awesome. Is it a stump or a fence post?
Ruffled/wind blown plumage gives some cool volume to the bird.

[gail bisson]

This is lovely Daniel.
The perch is so nice, it looks like a setup.
Perfect head turn as well.
What article is Bobby speaking of?
Gail

[P-A. Fortin]

What article is Bobby speaking of?

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...rds-The-Basics

[Ritesh Nangare]

Great Shot ,with complement Of great BG, and Stunning details.

All And all Great Shot.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Daniel,

I usually only look at 5 images at a time to comment on, but I couldn't help but click on this one. It looked great on facebook, but I love it here!

The subject exposure and detail is spot on, but I really enjoy the grad background - from light green to dark green. Hope to see some more of this species!

Miguel

[Doug Brown]

Pose, perch, and BG all came together for you in this frame. I've only seen this bird once; that was in Florida and they were quite far away. Would love to have a close encounter like this someday.

[Karen Forderer]

You were in luck that he came out of the grass all the way. I can only get them perched on a grassy mound. Nice and sharp with great detail. Great profile!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, excellent exposure, especially on the blacks, and you have nailed the sharpness well enough too. Comp works well, interesting perch, and I do like how the bird stands out against the BG.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
Terrific background, great pose, excellent details, and great comp.
A very great looking bird.
Well done.

[mohammad reza shahab]

wonderful detail and beautiful pose.excellent BG and great comp.