Cracking Greenfinch

[shane shacaluga]

I was hearing a strange cracking sound early this morning which confused me for a while. After walking about for a bit trying to identify what it was i came across this Greenfinch smashing these seeds with its tough beak.

Gave me time to position my monopod and take one shot before swallowing the seed and flying off. Its unfortunate parts of the plant interfered with the bird. Tried cloning but made a mess

Nikon D7000
300f4 + 1,7x TC
1/1000
f6.7
ISO 500
25% cropped

Tried a few techniques like finding a neutral grey and also burning some highlights on the light feather above the leg
Some NR on background and USM on bird

[Karl Egressy]

Nice finding and image.

[Loi Nguyen]

Nice bird with the seed in his mouth! when you said 25% cropped, I'm not sure you cropped 25% or now the image is 25% of the FF? I don't see a lot of details on the feathers, so wonder whether it is due to a large crop. Loi

[shane shacaluga]

Hi Loi, here is the original frame.

[Satish Ranadive]

Beautiful image. Very nice pose with open beak,beautiful colors and nice composition.

Regards,
Satish.