waxwing, early morning light

[Dave Slaughter]

This waxwing was taken shortly after the sun rose over the mountains to the east. When I lived in Ohio I hardly ever saw these birds . Here in western Montana the streamsides are lined with chokecherries which attract literally hordes of these birds in the fall, and they hang around the riparian areas hawking insects over the water all summer. This was taken along a creek by my house. The background had some noise reduction. The bird was sharpened a bit. I did not adjust the color saturation - this is how it came from the camera.
Canon Xti
1/800
f5.6
400mm f5.6 lens
ISO 400
Thanks for looking

[Desmond Chan]

The only nit-pick I have is the eye. I think it could be brightened a tad more.

[Alfred Forns]

Dave it has a mysterious look and you managed to have the head mostly lit area. From your position is probably the best possible but images like this scream out "I want flash" Strong fill light would have nice !!!

[Nonda Surratt]

Lots to like here agree on the need for some fill light.