Wren

[Alex Becker]

Hi all,

Been absent here for a bit, lots of travel and work, but hopefully have some good stuff to share now and after upcoming trips...

To start though, I got a chance to photograph a pair of wren that were very busy hunting for their chicks. I was amazed at some of the bugs they were bringing back, but I think this one takes the cake. Most of the shots I got were taken in overcast / rainy conditions in the shade, so generally all high ISO. Slight crop, NR on bird and BG. There is some posterization on the background when I downsize -- I think it's just unavoidable with these dark green backgrounds.

Edit to add that I double processed the top of the bug and it's legs by about -1 stop more than the rest of frame.

Camera: Nikon D500
Lens: 500mm f/4 + 1.4 TC
Specs: 1/500 f/5.6 ISO 4,000

Thanks for looking and commenting on prior posts!
Alex

[Arthur Morris]

Well done. You did a great job of paralleling the subject to maximize d-o-f. And a fine job with the processing. Where? Is this a Carolina Wren?

Any clues as to what the bug is ???

with love, artie

[Mike Poole]

Great pose on the bird, and that's before we get to the big bonus of the bug and the behaviour!

I'm mulling over a D500 from a 1dx and seeing this at ISO 4000 isn't making my choice any more straightforward!

Mike

[Alex Becker]

Well done. You did a great job of paralleling the subject to maximize d-o-f. And a fine job with the processing. Where? Is this a Carolina Wren?

Any clues as to what the bug is ???

with love, artie

Thanks Artie, this was taken locally in PA. Pretty sure it's a Carolina wren given the white band on the head. The bug I think is either a house or camel cricket, but not sure. I thought camel crickets had longer antenna than house but a quick google search isn't showing up anything.

[Alex Becker]

Great pose on the bird, and that's before we get to the big bonus of the bug and the behaviour!

I'm mulling over a D500 from a 1dx and seeing this at ISO 4000 isn't making my choice any more straightforward!

Mike

Thanks Mike -- I was blown away at the size of bugs these birds were routinely catching.

I really like my D500 and am impressed with the low light performance, especially for a crop body. I generally find the low light files pretty straight forward to process, especially when the subject is close like this. With that said, I've always been super impressed by the really high ISO 1dx v1 and v2 files posted here and wildlife, so definitely a tough decision.

[Steve Kaluski]

Pretty neat capture Alex, just would have liked the framing to be a little lower, it's a tad tight for me at the foot.

I think you could just add a little 'Burn' adjustment to the legs, to gain a tad more definition. Good thinking on double processing, hopefully via Smart objects??? I like the BKG, provides a lovely separation, but assuming this is through LR so you will have that added contrast. NR looks bang on, so nice PP overall.

TFS
Steve

[Florin Sandu]

I have Nikon d500 too and I admit that the highest I photographed was at iso 2500. I am impressed with what you did at iso 4000. Congratulations!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Way cool prey item, and the wren even gave you a perfect head angle to show it off. Terrific BG. Although it is looking up, I would still have preferred the subject a bit higher in the frame than as presented. Perhaps a touch more warmth to the WB as well. All else is super, and I am glad you will be posting again.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image, Alex. No nits from me. Regarding the dark green backgrounds, they always seem to have posterization. Not sure why. Thank you for sharing.

[gail bisson]

Love, love the bug and those looong...antenna!
Do you have a bit more room on the bottom?
I like how the low POV emphasizes the feet.
Great frame!
Gail

[kevin Hice]

Fantastic shot Alex. Wish I had it. Love the dark background and for sure the bug adds greatly. Great details and sharpness. TFS

[John Mack]

Welcome back. Very nice frame of this wren. Love that bug. Background makes the bird stand out nicely. Yes more room below would be nice. Still nice frame overall.

[Ivan Sjogren]

The pose from the bird is spot on and perfectly sharp. Nice clean background, light and perch too.
As already noted more room below would be nice as well as taking some of the top. I think rasing the temperature by a tad would improve the image as well.

[Alex Becker]

Thanks all, much appreciated. Unfortunately no more room below, but I have some other shots of this bird that are a bit more balance, albeit no bug this impressive. I'll take another look at the WB and warm it up a bit. Best,