theme - Red-Winged Blackbird

[John Whaley]

An immature male Red-Winged Blackbird at first light. Handheld, 1/250, f6.3, auto ISO-3600, +1 step, 700mm, 500 + 1.4X, D500.

[Bill Dix]

Nice bird, pose, background. It all feels a bit bright to me. I wonder if toning down the mid-tones and highlights would help? The generally peachy colors are, I'm sure, a product of the early morning sunlight.

[John Whaley]

Thanks for the feedback Bill. I think you are right. It does look bright. Here it is pulled down a bit. The bg is fall color leaves.

[Adhika Lie]

Beautiful! I love how the Fall color reflects on the bird and a very nice pose, too. I like the feather details at the back!

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image.

Regards,
Satish.

[Madeleine Lenagh]

I love the coloring in this, especially after the adjustment.

[Isaac Grant]

Second version looks better to me as the first was too bright. Very pleasing pose and color palette on this shot. Light and background are beautiful. I would be tempted to clone out the leaf that is touching the bird as it is a bit distracting. Also I think the head could use a little more sharpening.

[William Dickson]

The second one looks real good. It has Autumn written all over it. Very nice.

Well done

Will

[Bill Nuttall]

John

the image has a "soft" feel which is maybe because you used a 500mm + 1,4TC hand held and at ISO 3600 with a D500 - but if that is what you intended then you have achieved your objective and the light adds to this

the leaf behind the bird does not do the composition any favours and would try to clone it out to get a cleaner subject, the central leaf vein also confuses the line of the bird .. the head looks a little soft which is generally something to avoid in bird images