I did a fair bit of home work for this shot. I spotted this bird regularly perch on this twig over lunch one day this week, so I went back yesterday evening and today to capture this shot. This was taken hand held on a bean bag from a car. Comments always welcomed.
7D, 500mm + 1.4X, f.56, 1/500ss, AWB, +1/3ev. Processed in LR4 and PSE10 for USM.
I like the alert pose here, the raised crest feathers, the dreamy background. Only wish the bird had given you a bit more of a head turning as that would have made it a more engaging portrait. But still very nice work, and good to know your observations and follow up proved fruitful.
Thanks Melissa, I know what you mean regarding the head turn. To be honest I had a few seconds of opportunity so glad to get what I did. I did take another the night before which had a better head angle so will look at that one as well. Thanks again.
Nice sharp detail, great eye and liking the profile shot very much as is, nice backdrop lighting that almost puts the bird in the spotlight and natural simple perch works nicely
Your careful observations and subsequent fieldcraft (even if from a car) paid off. The image in general looks very good, but as pointed out already a better head angle would have been excellent here...sometimes simply pishing (or some sort of "kissing" noise with your lips) can get that wanted head turn.