Great Crested Flycatcher

[James Parker]

I Got this shot at Magee Marsh Last Thursday.
I think this bird was smiling at me:) or Laughing:eek:

D2X
1/320s
F/9.0
400 ISO
Focal Length 1000mm with 1.7 TC
No Exp Comp

[Lance Peters]

Hi - Gorgeous BG - Love the head angle and open beak pose.

looks a little soft on my monitor - could do with a TAD more sharpening and of course the EYE lightened a tad and sharpened yto make it pop.

[Julie Kenward]

You got some attitude going there, don't you? She's definitely checking you out! I agree with Lance on the sharpening - it looks as if the bottom end of the branch got the focus and the bird is a little soft because of it. I also wouldn't mind seeing just a bit more room on the top and right side - not much, just enough to take away the cramped feeling.

Beautiful composition and BG James. It just goes to show if you wait for it, they'll often give you a portrait worth taking!

[Alfred Forns]

Hi James The focus point is on the beak Does look sharp Remember to focus on the eye and recompose

As presented feels tight in frame Great pose and bg !! Doing well !!!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi James,
The bird looks a bit tight in frame, especially around the tail area. The eye is out of focus and I see noise in the background...I live the perch and the pose with the open bill...:cool:

[Dave Slaughter]

On my monitor the eye and head look ok. This is a nice shot. I don't know how you could get anything sharp with that focal length of lens and this is a great tribute to your long lens technique. Did you use mirror lock-up or a remote release? Thanks for posting.

[James Parker]

Dave,
I do use a remote release but rarely mirror lockup unless whatever I'm shooting is in a low light situation and is cooperating by holding fairly still. As to the in focus. If I use a smaller f-stop like F/14 etc it seems the critiques

[James Parker]

Dave,
I do use a remote release but rarely mirror lockup unless whatever I'm shooting is in a low light situation and is cooperating by holding fairly still. As to the in focus. If I use a smaller f-stop like F/14 etc it seems the critiques

always question why I am doing so. All you have to do is see the out of focus tail on this bird to get your answer. For the distance I was shooting and using the 1.7 TC the birds eye is very close to being as sharp as its going to get. Thanks for your comments Jim