Curve-billed Thrasher on Cactus

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks:

Curve-billed Thrasher hanging out on a Night-blooming Cereus Cactus instead of his nesting Cholla Jumping Cactus. Jumping because if you get close a cluster will jump out and attach itself to you. Best to carry a comb when out about the cactus to easily remove any clusters of cactus (ouch) from your person. . . . Uncle Gus :D

Olympus E-510, Zuiko 70-300 ED
AP F/5.6, 1/800s
100 ISO
-1 ev
Auto WB
450 mm focal length

[Doug Brown]

Excellent sharpness Gus. I'm thinking about a vertical recrop with this photo with the bird on the left of the frame. What do you think?

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Uncle Gus!
I really love this - the juxtaposition of textures makes it really rewarding. I like the crop as presented - if I had a nit it would be that the white spots on the cactus plants are a little bright. It sounds as if those plants have a life of their own - we don't have those here either!!!
Regards, Nicki

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Nicki;

Thanks for bringing up the white spots (Where thorns were) as I should have removed them as in the past (When reminded by kind folks like you) . . Memory now on delayed action . . . :p

Doug:

Your vertical crop sounds like a good idea, here's a rendering. I like it, especially without the dratted white spots. . . . Thanks . . . Gus :D BTW; Might look better with black stripe on right side cloned over with cactus???

[Harold Davis]

great job with the repost, uncle gus!!!! i love the base image. the bird looks fantastic!!! congrats!!

[Gus Cobos]

My dear uncle Gus,
I must say that the vertical repost is 100% better. I like it...good show...:cool:

[Lance Peters]

Vertical repost works for me - well done Gus

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Good norning Uncle Gus!
I do like the vertical crop but also quite liked the original!! Also, on reflection, I think that the white spots added some textural detail which is nice. Perhaps they could be toned down?? (There's no pleasing some people is there!!!!!)
BTW my memory seems to be permenantly on delayed action - my boys never let me hear the end of it...
Regards, Nicki

[Alberto Oria]

Great images each one has it on enchant.

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi folks:

Thanks for all your kind C&C.s . . .

Uncle Gus :D

[Katie Rupp]

Gus, I too, like the white spots, especially if they were toned down a bit. You always post something interesting!