Another Grasshopper Sparrow

[Bill Dix]

From the same local grassland as the recently posted Dickcissels. I decided to keep this one small-in-the-frame, since I liked the asters in the bg. This is shot vertically, 82% of full height. C&C always appreciated.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 1250, 1/3200s @ f/7.1 manual.

[William Dickson]

Hi Bill
I am glad you kept the asters in, it makes for a terrific BG, along with a nice perch and subject. Lovely colours throughout. Well done

[Grace Scalzo]

Nothing but praise from me on this one, Bill. Artistically composed, painterly feeling to the background. Great calling pose too.

[Karl Egressy]

I'm afraid I have a different taste. I really like the pose, perch and background but I would prefer a horizontal canvas for this one, Bill

[Lorant Voros]

Very sweet with the light and the pose. Perch is perfect. I wish for the horizontal composition as well.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Love the simplicity, Bill. Never tire of these small beauties. Like the perch, BG, and asters.




Geoffrey

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. Here's a horizontal version. I have a number of other shots of these guys with tighter crops, so I wanted to try one a little looser. In this case my own preference is for the OP, but the nice thing about BPN is that there are lots of different opinions.

[Karl Egressy]

Love it!!! A real beauty, Bill. This year I did not find the at the places I'm familiar with.

[Randy Stout]

Bill:

Well I like both options. My first thought before reading anyone else's comments was to take a bit off the top. I like the soft flowers below, so didn't want to crop them away too much.

I would put it aside for a day or two, and revisit the different versions to see which one 'sings' for you.

Cheers

Randy

[Binu John]

Hi Bill, Beautiful shot of the Grasshopper Sparrow! I really like the composition, BG, light singing pose and details! I can't decide which crop is better! I like the horizontal crop for it's composition and the vertical crop for that oof flowers in the BG!

[Ian Wilson]

Hi Bill. The original post works much better for me as it gives me a better sense of scale - a small bird in a big landscape. I also like the oof vegetation which in the repost has lost some of its integrity without the stems and branches. Good work. Regards, Ian.

[gail bisson]

Hi Bill,
I can't decide which I like best. The OP has the lovely flowers in the BG but the repost is excellent as well.
Both have great IQ and love the singing pose.
I guess the best one is the one YOU ( or your client) like the best.
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, Lovely singing pose, and I do like the vertical comp in your OP. Lovely BG.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone.

[Richard Flack]

Love this creative shot Bill. Great IQ on the bird and stunning BG. My vote is definitely for the first post! Well done!

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Richard.

[vishaljadhav]

Wonderful image, great BG and the open beak pose looks sweet
i love the delicate branch the bird is perched on