Cedar Waxwing

[gail bisson]

Taken last weekend near our cottage in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
I found a flock of unusually friendly and confiding waxwings and was able to capture quite a few good frames.
Canon 1DX
600mm and 1.4x
ISO 800 SS 1/1600 F 7.1
PP. Cropped for com to about 80% FF. Nothing cloned or added. I dodged the darkish area in the RUC and used DE under the tail to open up the shadows and tame the bright white area on top of tail.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I like it lots. For me, a bit less in the center would be more pleasing, placed a little more to the left. Or crop a little tighter from the left and above, but then you'd lose more of the beautiful pine needle perch, which adds so much to your shot.
Thanks for sharing.

[Randy Stout]

Gail:

The classic soft waxwing plumage, good head position, nice perch, smooth bg.

I am with Akos on the crop, just a bit off the left and then a tiny crop off the top to maintain the ratio ( or there abouts)

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

I agree with both of you. Should have noticed that myself.
Thanks for the extra eyes guys!

[Randy Stout]

Gail:

I think this is a far stronger comp.

Randy

[dankearl]

The RP puts the bird front and center, but I like the OP better, softer and the lighting is better.

[adrian dancy]

Top quality image. The repost is best. The bird being a Waxwing is special and a firm favourite of mine:)

[Grace Scalzo]

To me, while a beautiful bird, the pine is what gives this beautiful image its strength. I don't feel that you've totally nailed the comp yet with the original or the repost. But I'm not sure what to suggest. Worth experimenting with, that's for sure.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Bingo!

[Mervyn Marsh]

wowza... wd looks very nice to me.. cool perch.. and bird is looks fantastic

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image, Gail. Your image brings back memories from when I lived in New Hampshire, the fir or spruce tree and the Cedar Waxwing, both were common there. Thank you for sharing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gail, lovely look back pose showing off the finer plumage on the chest area. Overall, sharp where it counts, and the light has brought out the colours nicely. Thats a killer BG, and your repost does the trick regarding a better comp.

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image Gail! The repost works best for me. I like the perch, pose, IQ and BG.

[gail bisson]

Because I am OC and wasn't 100% happy with my repost because I thought it made the bird too big in the frame., here is a final crop that I think I like the most. Keeps the pine in but gives more room for the bird to look into.
I don't know how many of you will revisit this thread but I had to fix it!

[Jim Crosswell]

I like your final version Gail the best. Nothing wrong with getting the most out of an image!

[Satish Ranadive]

Marvellous image, Gail.
Every thing is perfect in the frame.

Regards,
Satish.

[David Salem]

Way late to the party but once I looked at it I had to let you know how nice this looks, looks fantastic!. I like the complementing colors and the nice HA. The colors are great and I like the BG but I might clone out the dark area if you were to final it. Very nice Gail

[Karen Pleasant]

As I read through the thread, I kept thinking.....just a little more off the left! BRAVO! I think your final repost nails the comp! Wonderful bird and perch....perfectly captured and processed. TFS!