I have really wanted shots of Pine Grosbeak on berry trees. Finally got the opportunity a couple weeks back. I have tons and tons of shots of these birds with perfect head angles and backgrounds but if you have ever seen these birds this is how they eat and I think it is appropriate to show them this way. Had to wait most of the day to get this one to come down low to where I could get a perfect background of berry covered snow.
Nikon D850 and Nikon 500 PF. ISO 1000, F8, SS 1/1250. Fill flash used as bird was feeding under cover of a huge crab apple tree. Note the berries were all different colors with some bright yellow and others deep red so the colors as presented are accurate.
Love the composition, killer BG, colors and details. Bummer that the twig is blocking/shading the main action where my eyes finally fall(the eating of the berry). Simply beautiful image overall (as usual). TFS
A show stopper here Isaac, congrats! Everything about this image is top shelf, amazing details throughout the grosbeak, the pose, the setting, dof, and the sweet BG, couldnt be any better, it looks3D This is wonderful.
Excellent detail....and a killer BG. Nice perch and colours throughout. Yes the twig over the bill is a wee bit of a bummer, but I would take this any day.
Thanks for the thoughts on the photo. I have a long sequence of shots of this bird and have plenty of shots of the bill not behind the stick but honestly I do not mind the beak behind the stick one bit. But it is always good to hear what others think about these types of things.
This is a lovely image. Such great detail and exposure control. Yes, agree that the stick is a bit distracting but the overall image quality overrides this for me.
Last edited by David Cowling; 03-15-2019 at 07:44 AM.
I'm soooooo glad you got the opportunity where you are with these guys! Ours left not long after they were rock-starring it up here. I did not "see" the stick before others commented on it, but I am OK with it in this case. I am not usually a fan of square crops, but it works here. Beautiful BG. The only thing I would change is to remove what appears to be a dust spot near the lower berries.
Thanks Dan! I bugged you enough about them Still need to get up there to get the rest of your killer winter birds. Next shot will be a more traditional shot. This one has a very Audubon feel to it that I really like.
You did great getting a decent look at the face with this one. Otherwise loverly! The rump rocks and so does the 500 PF.
with love, artie
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,