Spotless starling in hedgehog mode

[Tiago Caravana]

Today I bring you a Spotless Starling in what I called "hedgehog mode". The head and body position made this effect in the feathers around the neck :)

All C&C are welcomed, reflected on and learned from!

EXIF: Nikon D4 | 500mm f4 + TC 1.4X | f5.6 | 1/125 | ISO 2500

[keith mitchell]

Very much underrated Tiago which is a shame they have wonderful colours which your image shows very well, great sharp and clean image.

[Lyle Gruby]

That is some expression on this bird! IQ, bird, and BG are all great. Only thing I see for improvement is trying a crop in from the right and top to get rid of the gnarl on your perch.

[gail bisson]

Very nice.
I really like the perch and wish that more of it was in focus. I would crop in from the right to get rid of the bit of branch.
I would consider desaturating the green in the BG as I find it a bit overwhelming.

[Tiago Caravana]

Thanks for your feedbacks. I did a new version with your suggestions and it really looks better to me. Thank you!

Can an administrator include this photo in the theme for the Black Birds? I haven't realized this when I posted it in the 1st place,

[keith mitchell]

Like the repost Tiago.
Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Tiago, if you were/are able to go lower I think this would help to get a bit more separation between the rear of the subject and the log. Also with the D4 push that ISO to gain more SS, but ultimately for me, this needs more DoF to get that bill sharp too. Did you lighten the lower body as it looks more noisy, surprised at this ISO setting? Finally, check your setting for web presentation, I think if you are using Save for Web in PS one of the boxes isn't checked as the image does not have the correct embedded colour profile. This can cause the image not to be displayed to it's full potential and perhaps some colour shift.

TFS
Steve