Western Meadowlark

[Diane Miller]

I was lucky to find a few of these guys on some quaint fence posts in the eastern Sierra last week. Canon 7D2, 100-400 II at 400, ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/800. Early morning light diffused by smoke from wildfires.

Basic processing in LR; this one didn't need any PS work. It's a big crop -- 20% of the original frame. Had to shoot out of my car and couldn't get closer.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice pose, perch and good detail despite the crop. Lovely background.

[Bill Dix]

A lovely capture, Diane. Good pose and nice light. I wonder if adding a few points of black to the neutrals on the bird would give it some punch?

[Michael Hansen]

Very nice, Diane...and that is a great fence post! Good detail, pose, light. Good capture!


Mike

[William Dickson]

Lovely frame Diane. I like the pose of the bird on that beautiful perch. Nice one

Will

[Joseph Przybyla]

Beautiful bird, wonderful perch, lovely light. I agree with Bill maybe a touch more black. Wondering how your breathe with all that smoke? Thank you for sharing, Diane.

[Diane Miller]

Thanks everyone! Adding a little tonal punch to the dark end is a good idea -- I'll have a look at it.

The smoke wasn't so thick (here) as to affect breathing, but it sure impacted distant landscapes and astrophotography.