Leveillant's Cisticola - habitat and early morning light

[Richard Flack]

Some time ago I visited Rietvlei Nature Reserve (near Johannesburg) and was able to photograph a Leveillant's Cisticola singing in the early morning light. This is what I would consider a classic representation of this beautiful songster.

This is a somewhat different from my previous posts and an attempt at a habitat shot. Look forward to your comments.

Canon EOS 7D
100-400mm f5.6
ISO 800
Shutter speed 1/4000
F-stop 5.6
Exposure bias 0

Cropped approx 30%

[Richard Flack]

Sorry not sure what happened. Deleted one image and posted a new one but both seem to have appeared. The bottom image was my preference. Thanks

[christopher galeski]

Beautiful image,great light,and nice singing pose.

[hennieloots]

Hi Richard - I like the pose and HA. I also enjoyed the great light you captured. The catch-light in the eye and open beak takes this image up a notch for me. IMO I would remove the 2 grass sprouts from the upper RHC as they distract a bit being on the eye-level of the bird; the grass on the bottom does not bother me. I would also run some NR on the BG again. The capture with habitat showing looks great to me.
Regards
Hennie

[Bill Dix]

The small-in-frame comp works very nicely with the beautiful light on the habitat. The two stems on the right add some interest but detract from the bird; tough call, but it's a fine image either way.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Richard, I always enjoy a ride through Rietvlei, just down the road from me. You have captured a good singing pose, and with a typical rietvlei grassland BG. Comp wise, I would come in a little from the left, and a bit more from the right. I would also move him up higher by taking a bit off the top too. I agree, some NR is needed on the BG.

I removed your second post as requested.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the sweet light quality, and the singing pose if quite nice. Good grassy habitat depicted too. Small in the frame works better with subject closer to a corner, so I agree with Stu's crop suggestion by taking a bit more off left and top (this would also hide the grass skimming the left edge). I would also remove the two grass blades in upper right, if that is within your processing ethics.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice looking bird, excellent singing pose and nice light. I wish the bird was about 5 cm (2") higher in the frame.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely image of a singing LBJ in sweet light, Richard. Rietvlei is a a great spot. Good cropping and NR suggestions.

[Richard Flack]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Did a very quick mock up based on all the feedback. (Will spend more time perfecting it when I have chance). Thanks again.