Northern Wheatear

[John Robinson]

WheateaR(male)
Nikon D200
50-500mm Sigma
Tripod/Hide
800 ISO
250th @ f10
crop 70 % of frame.
Neat image.
PP Paintshop Pro
Cheers
Thanks for looking and comments on last picture.
John

[Robert Kimbrell]

I like it John, a very nice head turn and prey. The bird looks nicely placed in the frame. A little lower angle may have made it even better.

[Marina Scarr]

Nice pose on the bird and the prey is a nice touch. The perch and green BG work well but the BG isn't looking quite natural to my eyes. Have you done something this BG by any chance?

[John Robinson]

Thanks both.
HI Marina This shot was one I prepared for the site a while back and never posted. I dont recall anything special about the BG. Heres one from the same session with not so good exposure. Looks about the same to me. nMay have taken out a dark blob or two- not sure.

Cheers
John

[Bill Dix]

A beautiful shot, John. Great pose from the Wheatear, with a perfect head angle; and the prey adds a lot to the image. I like the background, but for my personal taste, a heavy dose of NR (or a very light dose of blur) might help keep the attention on the beautiful bird.

[Graham Wilkes]

Backgrounds OK with me and the bird stands out well.
I like the head turn, the rock to perch on and the close view of this great summer visitor with food item.

Graham

[John Robinson]

Thanks both
Bill- Will try that later
Graham- Your redstarts nesting in the garden are all ready and waiting.! The chicks only hatched yesterday and both parents feeding already.
Hides up and in place. Will E mail you with dfirections.
John

[christopher galeski]

Nice one John,good detail and pose,grub in beak a bonus,agree on NR in BG.TFS.

[John Robinson]

Heres a repost with neatimage, edge preserving smooth, and blur on the BG and it doesn't seem to have made any difference.
WDYT. Any one welcome to have a go.
John

[Bill Dix]

To my eye, it did make a difference. The BG doesn't seem quite as choppy.

[John Robinson]

Hi Bill
Yes I can see it. My eyes must be going !
The problem is that the BG is not flat - but rising up steeply. Thats why its more in focus.

John