Gray Kingbird

[Steve Kaluski]

An image taken from a very fleeting stay in the Caribbean last month, sitting high up on a trailing branch he/she would then swoop down and skim the pool for insects. Probably a subject well know to so some of you in Florida? The blue backdrop is not sky, but the ocean.

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) perching on branch
Location: Caribbean
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 with 2x extender HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/11 ISO4000
Original format: Portrait, slight crop for presentation
Processed: LRCC 2015 & PSCC 2015

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, you should do more bird photography, you have nailed a great pose and HA. Good DOF, tack sharp, and the feather detail shows up very well. I do like the curved perch running through the frame. Well captured.

[Grace Scalzo]

That spiky perch sets up the image in a wonderful way as it moves through the frame. The light angle works well, I would dodge the eye a bit to liven it up .

[Karen Pleasant]

Nicely done, Steve. A truly wonderful composition. The arched perched provides a simple foundation to the image without stealing attention from the bird. Technically well captured with just the right amount of DOF and feather details. TFS!

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - great pose, details and sharpness. The bright tip of the thorn under the tail is catching my eye, perhaps burn it slightly. Pretty great result for such a short trip.

TFS,
Rachel

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good composition, neat perch. I like the hue of the ocean's blues - had it been sky I would have said the colour is off! Yes to Grace's suggestion of eye work - specifically enhancing the currently faint catchlight.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Steve, welcome to the world of Avian. Beautiful bird, nicely shown. If mine I would crop so that the perch begins in the lower right hand corner, I did a quick crop scrolling on the computer screen. See what you think? Surprisingly they are in Florida but I do not see them that often, probably not going to the right places. Thank you for sharing.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Steve, lovely comp, excellent exposure and HA. The curved perch with thorns adds a lot to the image. Super detail in the feathers. TFS.

[keith mitchell]

Great looking bird sits well on that spiky perch, excellent detail as always.

Keith.

[christopher galeski]

nice capture,like the perch,good pose and detail,I think this is a type of shrike,looking at the bill and perch.TFS.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks.

Grace/Dan, thanks for the suggestion, however in the actual Raw there isn't a huge amount of detail/depth to bring out, albeit subtle. I've gone back in, but not sure if this has helped or achieved your thoughts, WDYT?
Steve

[Diane Miller]

Wonderful image -- a noticeable, subtle but nice improvement.

[Grace Scalzo]

Just perfect Steve. That added just the right touch of life to the eye.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image. Great pose in beautiful lights. Superb details, nice curved perch and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks guys, as I have stated before, often it can be the subtleties that make all the difference. In this instance thanks for the suggestion, good to have an additional pair of eyes.