Bluebird Youngster

[Anita Rakestraw]

There are several bluebird youngsters feeding along our pasture edges right now. I was able to be close enough to get some decent images recently. C/C welcome!

7-23-08, 8:07 p.m.
1D Mk III, 500mm @ 1000, tripod
ISO 640, f/8, 1/80, EV0

[Lana Hays]

Anita
Very nice. Wonderful lighting. Simplicity...which I like and a very peaceful mood. I might be tempted to crop a little off the top. Well done.

[Julie Kenward]

Beautiful, Anita! I'd crop a bit off the top, too. Your head angle isn't perfect (turned a bit away from the camera sensor) but it's lovely all the same. I would maybe try to tone down the highlight on the back of his head, too.

I've never seen a juvenile bluebird before (despite it being our state bird!) This is really lovely!

[Simon Bennett]

Hi Anita, I like the lovely crisp bird, background and nice rusty barbed wire. I think I can see some noise in the shaded brown wing feathers.

[Anita Rakestraw]

Thanks to all for stopping to look and comment. Simon, I'll have to check out that noise more closely - you're no doubt right but I can't see it on my monitor....:(

[Glenda Simmons]

Nice portrait of this young man, with a nice background. Bluebirds are such a pleasure to photograph. I'm fortunate to have Bluebirds in my yard almost year round and can get very close to them. Mama just started incubating four eggs in her 4th nest of the season!

[Anita Rakestraw]

Thanks, Glenda. Yes, you're lucky to have them all year! Last year a pair tried here on our land but met with disaster....this year they succeeded, to my delight! Do I see a parrot in your hand in your avatar image??

[carole wiley]

I agree that cropping some off the top would improve an otherwise very nice image. I like the lighting and barbed wire is even pleasing.

[Anita Rakestraw]

Thank you, Carole, will do!