Western Bluebird male

[Diane Miller]

This is the husband of the female I posted yesterday. They're busy feeding chicks, and I'm busy trying to find a place to hide a little closer to them, that they deem acceptable. The ground isn't even enough for a store-bought blind. I may excavate a place for one for next year, though. Have a feeling they've been nesting here before.

Canon 5D3, 600mm II + 1.4X III. Big Gitzo and Wimberley II. ISO 800, f/11, 1/640. Cropped to 30% of full frame. I need to do much better than that. Even a sharp capture suffers there.

Basic process in LR5, then to CS6 for a small amount of NR and Det Extractor, but neither really needed.

C&C always appreciated.

[Don Nelson]

A real beauty - great perch and stunning head turn. Nice background.
You might consider some pvc and some camo cloth to make a blind. You can pound some rebar into the ground to keep the tubes upright no matter what slope (unless on rock of course). Looks like it would be worth the effort.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Perfect in all regards, Diane (perch, sharpness, eye contact)! Well done!

[vishaljadhav]

The BG is sweet, love the IQ and the pose
perch is special
lovely image overall

[Joseph Przybyla]

Wish it were mine Dianne, lovely image of a beautiful bird.

[Grace Scalzo]

The pose is graceful, bg sweet, perch is ok, but feels a bit too much like a "bird on a stick". Crop held up well for this presentation.
What about a quick camo?

[Karl Egressy]

Nice colors, composition, background and perch, Diane.
The male looks better of this species.

[John Robinson]

Great stuff Dianne
Perch and bird spot on.
Cheers
JohnR

[Robert Kimbrell]

A nice pose Diane, A good head angle. I wish I could attract birds like this in my yard.

[David Salem]

Nice looking bird and I like the perch. Techs look good and the pose gives a nice look at this species. Looks like the light was a bit harsh but handled well.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Excellent pose and lovely bg. BOAS yes, but it's a pretty bird on a pretty stick.
I'm not sure what the light angle is, but it seems to the right and almost overhead?
Fill flash would likely have helped here. Looking forward to more of this couple Diane.

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, everyone!! I'm new enough to birds that I'm happy with a BOAS, as long as it's a pretty one! I'll be posting more.

This was a stick that the birds chose -- not attracted. I noticed this behavior then saw they are using it as a lookout while taking food to a nearby nest hole.

I've had variable light as I shot these guys -- I think this one was some light clouds but don't remember. But I'm now using fill flash when the sun is full. I was afraid it would spook them, but doesn't seem to bother them at all.

Don, I thought about just that for an improvised blind. Have the cloth already. May just try draping it over me and see if I can park a little closer. Want to shoot a little more before I risk getting closer to the nest with a construction job. Got some nice shots today, semi-concealed in an oleander. But would like to get a little closer.

Not sure if I should risk putting up a better stick. This is the dead top of an old fig tree about 10 ft high. I'd need to demolish it and hope they accept a substitute. I may wait to try any staging before they nest next year. I'd bet they'll be back!