Vireo feeding on Tent Caterpillars.

[Michael Thompson]

I caught this Warbling (I think) Vireo ripping apart this silk tent to get the worms inside at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in MN yesterday.

Canon 7Dll Canon 100-400ll canon 1.4xlll, 560mm f8 1/1000, 3200 iso !!! Lightroom luminence noise reduction on the background, Photoshop cloned out an ugly angled linb going through the background.

[annmpacheco]

Yumm, looks a bit like cotton candy. Very nice details on the bird, and nice job on reducing the noise. It sure is difficult to get a clean shot of these little guys, and the roof leaves that intersect the bird and unfortunate. Overall, terrific behavioral shot. TFS

[Mike Poole]

What a pity about the intersecting leaves, but this is still a very interesting behavioural shot. I think the head could do with a little more sharpening as the shoulder appears to be where the focus hit.

Mike

[gail bisson]

Agree with Mike. Sure wish the tail was clear of the leaves. I also would like a bit more room on the RHS,
Gail

[Michael Thompson]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I wish I could have got it out of the leaves, I tried sneaking a bit to the left and the bird would not have it, and was gone. Yes, the head is a bit soft, I did not notice until I saw the post. I am excited that I could have even workable image quality at such hi ISO, and I learned that here, about exposing to the right. works really good!

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the feeding behaviour and the strands of webbing streaming from the bill. Yep, critical focus fell on the shoulder area. I am glad you did not shy away from ISO 3200 when needed!

[Michael Thompson]

I love the feeding behaviour and the strands of webbing streaming from the bill. Yep, critical focus fell on the shoulder area. I am glad you did not shy away from ISO 3200 when needed!

Thanks! you are right about the focus point. I always strive to focus on the eye, but I had my 1.4xlll on because the birds were not too close, but this one showed up really close, but I had to try, I love when I can get a close up. unfortunately, if I aimed at the head, the tail would get cut off at the bottom, because my setup only allows f/8 and center point only. Another thing I am trying to figure out is when I should be using it, or not using it. (I am a tele noob) I might try sharpening the head a bit tonight, if you think this image is worth saving. Appreciate the tips! ~ MT

[Arthur Morris]

The leaves are the leaves. No leaves, no tent caterpillars. You did a good job of finding a clear slot to the bird's face. I love the behavioral aspects of this image. Try a contrast mask on the bird's face to sharpen it up: Unsharp Mask at 15/65/0.... a

[Michael Thompson]

The leaves are the leaves. No leaves, no tent caterpillars. You did a good job of finding a clear slot to the bird's face. I love the behavioral aspects of this image. Try a contrast mask on the bird's face to sharpen it up: Unsharp Mask at 15/65/0.... a

Hi Arthur, Thanks! I know if you like it, it is worth saving. I am not sure what a contrast mask is, I will look it up, but for now I will try using my adjustment brush in lightroom to sharpen and add some contrast. ~MT

[Michael Thompson]

Here it is with some sharpening and contrast added to the head in lightroom