Golden Crowned Kinglet

[Michael Castellano]

These little gals are often around but nearly impossible to photograph away from a bird feeder. I had been trying for two years without success until I got this shot. This is the one keeper in about fifty frames -- they move so fast, never stay on a branch for more than a second, and are usually partially concealed. I got it by guessing the next branch it was going to hop on! It was here about one second, and in fact I assumed I was too late with my snap but was pleasantly surprised! I don't think they are much larger than a hummingbird. Hand-held, natural light, Canon 20d, Canon 100 - 400mm L, ISO 400, 1/500 SS, F-8, 400mm focal length.


March 27, 2007, Prospect Park Upper Pool, Brooklyn, NY

[Fabs Forns]

Neat looking critter, Michael. If it were mine, Id take away the feet shine and soften the line in the lower BG.

BTW, you should add your copyright to anything you upload online. That way it will not be an "orphan" :)

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks for the feedback, Fabs. Probably should have just cloned out that blurred leave.

[Gus Cobos]

Nicely done Michael,
Agree with Fabs on the techs. You have pleasent colors on your bird and in the background...:cool:

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Michael, I was born in Brooklyn. How about you?

Hard to get these little suckers.... You did well as far as sharpness and getting the crest visible. With the bird's head turned and angled slightly away from you there is not much light on the face. Fill flash would have helped. As is, lightening the iris with a QM would help considerably.

[Michael Castellano]

Yes Arthur, I was born in Brooklyn at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope. There was no time to line this shot up, I just aimed the camera at an empty branch and got lucky when she landed there for about a second. The light was not bad but it was filtered sun. I'm not a great fan of using a flash on animals out of concern for damaging their eyes.

[Wally Nussbaumer]

Looks good from here Michael. I have never seen one, but if their that small, I can imagine their somewhat hyper. Good feather detail and good color. I concur with Fabs re the feet and lower part of the image. Not like you to miss that! ;)

[Lance Peters]

Love the BG - dont mind the head angle.
For me I would just sharpen the eye - there is a bit of a catchlight there.

:)

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks, Walter. I agree on that leaf being removed, but the feet look OK to me, the small highlights on them seem to emphasize the sharpness.

[Michael Castellano]

Yes, I could have brightened that dim catch light a bit to enhance.