Bobolink

[Bill Dix]

Geoffrey conjured up several Bobolinks for me the other evening. I caught this one taking off. I believe this is a female, but it may be a male going in to non-breeding plumage. Here's another case where I could use some advice on preferred crop. I expect I'll get more than one opinion, but I'd like yours. This one is cropped from the vertical.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 640, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual, gitzo and mongoose. Audio used.

[Bill Dix]

This is almost full-frame. The downside is that he/she is leaving the frame. The upside is that you can see where he/she came from. WDYT?

[Karl Egressy]

Funny I tend to like the full size original. It is not the traditional composition, but showing its perch makes up for it, Bill.

[Alan Murphy]

Not a plumage I have seen photographed too much. It's a wonderful flight shot with great habitat.

[arash_hazeghi]

nice dynamic pose and a nice BG, I might sharpen him a bit more
TFS

[gail bisson]

I prefer the OP.
Good reflexes catching this one.
I would tone down the vertical branch below the belly,
Gail

[Geoffrey Montagu]

You captured the takeoff beautifully. Great wing and feet position, and fanned tail. Agree with Gail on vertical branch. Prefer the OP.




Geoffrey

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. Here's a repost with some selective sharpening on the bird, and some toning down of several vertical branches. Thanks for the suggestions.

[David Salem]

Very nice Bill. Great look at this small bird in flight and I really like the colors. The wings up position and the hanging feet look great. The repost looks perfect sharpness wise and the BG is far enough from the subject to be pleasingly blurred. Great IF frame!

[Binu John]

Excellent flight shot with a sweet background, Bill! You nailed the focus! Love the color contrast, flight pose and the beautiful background! Well done!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, well timed for the take off, and great that you captured the raised wings. I like the BG, and your repost has turned out well.