"Tiny Dancer"

[David Salem]

Caught this Say's Phoebe last winter in an angelic take off pose. This frame looks so dainty to me and it always reminds me of a tiny dancer.

1DX---840mm---f6.3---ss1/3200---ISO640---HH from truck@ 4:20pm---35% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, love the BKG and the subject has a very delicate touch to it, with fine detail. Cracking pose and outstretched wings, well timed. I just feel on this one, the perch jars just a little, not sure what a more 'sympathetic' perch might be, LOL. Another well executed image.

TFS
Steve

[Jonathan Ashton]

An outstanding image I like everything, the detail and colours look absolutely gorgeous.
Just one tiny point concerns me - the highlight in the eye looks rather dominant???

[David Salem]

Thanks as always Steve. I don't do setup shots, as you know, so I just run around, or drive around, following birds from perch to perch.
A more sympathetic would be nice although I don't mind this one to much. Thanks again.

[David Salem]

Thanks Jonathan, I appreciate the nice comment.
The catch light is unaltered and totally natural.
When the sun gets low, the catch light shows in the height of the pupil and is more centered in the eye.
As you know, the catch light is a reflection of the sun, so big low sun equals big low catch light. Thanks as always for your comments and help.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, without knowing or seeing the wider picture it's hard to image the habitat and the 'perches' available, so thanks for the clarification, just ideal to have backgrounds and locations free of distracting elements, we should do a location swopped, but the 'truck' may need to stay.

[John Cooper]

Hey David this is just exquisite! What a dainty pose, you have really captured the moment, and the warm tones of the Phoebe are beutifully reflected in that stunning BG. Simply superb!

[BenBotha]

John Coopers comment nails it for me. Well done.
Ben

[christopher galeski]

very nice capture,got the wings of a angel,love the pose nice BG,loverly light,sharp with nice detail,like the perch,goe's well with the birds color.well done.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi David - beautiful image with great light, wing spread and pose. Killer bg too.

TFS,
Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, you couldnt have timed this better. Great wing display, sharp, and love the complimentary colours. Very well captured.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone. Glad you like it. It's one of my favorite shots from last year.
Steve, thanks. The truck is waiting for you anytime.

[Doug Brown]

Absolutely love the takeoff pose Dave! Great eye contact too.

[MiroslavMaric]

So nice frame and pose! Great moment and sharp bird. You got the eye contact. Like the tone and BG too! TFS.

Cheers,
Miro

[Gerald Kelberg]

All the superlatives seem to have been used already! It is a pure delight.

You really have caught the moment with the Phoebe at the lightest point on its lift-off.

Beautiful!

[keith mitchell]

David this makes me think of taking up golf or some other hobby ,to capture a shot like this without any set up really makes it special, superb detail and sharpness and every thing else that goes to make such an excellent image.

Cheers Keith.

[Bill Dix]

Superb pose, timed just right. And like others above, I love the bg color matching the bird. Perch works just fine for me.

[William Dickson]

Great image David Thanks for sharing

[Binu John]

Absolutely stunning shot, David! Superb IQ, pose, BG and exposure. Excellent work!!

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent take off pose with sharp details and a nice eye contact. not that many people can hand hold from a truck and get a shot like this without a setup.

TFS

[David Salem]

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.