Western-headed Eastern Meadowlark

[Bill Dix]

I came across this unique sub-species along a roadside in Belize in February. Shot from truck window. I thought about using the rotate command in PS to turn his head around, but this is how he presented himself, so I left it as is. Background is a dry grass field.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 800, 1/1250s @ f/7.1 manual.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Bill,

You mentioned the head angle, and that's about the only downside I'm seeing. Otherwise the exposure is great. I like the BG color a bit too. The perch isn't natural, but it's well sized for the bird.

Miguel

[William Dickson]

Nice one Bill, lovely bird. The image has a 'metallic' feel about it

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Beautiful IQ, Bill. Nice you were able to get this close. Our local Meadowlarks are usually not as cooperative. I'm fine with the head turn and perch, imagining you only had a moment and a few captured frames before he took off. The color in BG and perch are very complimentary.



Geoffrey

[keith mitchell]

Bill must say I don't have a problem with the head turn it looks fine to me, perch and BG all look great from where I'm sitting.

Keith.

[Diane Miller]

Very nice -- I've always loved Meadowlarks and rarely see them. I have no nits.

Maybe you have a newly-evolving sub-species here -- better adapted to see what's chasing them.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Apart from the head angle, which I agree with you, everything looks right - although I'd prefer a more weathered post. The barbed wire nicely anchors the image to the frame too!

[Tom van den Brandt]

Very nice Bill, I like the pose and soft BG.

Cheers, Tom

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, this fellow certainly has turned his head around a full 180 deg. Love the yellows, and thats one smooth BG you have too.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the sharpness, details, BG, exposure and composition. If only he turned his head towards you but still a great image Bill.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone.