Rufous Sided Towhee

[Chris Hansen]

Have been attempting to get a good picture of a Towhee all week. Lots of females and immatures have been coming in, Finally this morning a male did come in. He looks a bit abused though:D.

Cmaera Data
Canon 10D
100-400 IS @ 400mm
ISO 400
Aperature Priority
1/1500 sec @ F5.6
Manfrotto Tripod w/Bogen 3055 ballhead
RS80N3 Shutter release
Gaussian blur applied and canvas added to the bill side of the frame

It looks a bit centered to me and i'm not fond of the angle of the perch.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Chris,
This looks very good to me - I quite like the angle of the perch and the BG is terrific. Bird looks nice and sharp but I might add a little sharpening to the eye. I'm not sure what to suggest re the crop - I might shave a tad off the right side, but I'm not sure. Well done!
Regards,
Nicki

[Lance Peters]

Hi Chris - love the BG, love the detail in the eye and also the catchlight.

Only nit from me is the part of the OOF perch that intersects the bottom of the bird /tail that is at 90 degrees to the main part of the perch.

Also agree that it is too centered.

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Excellent details and background Chris. Composition is very nice also.
Congrats,

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with Nicki - overall it's a lovely image. If you don't like the placement of the bird you can definitely shave a bit off the right side.

[Katie Rupp]

Congrats on capturing this Towhee, Chris, its quite lovely. I'm seeing some sort of shadow around the top of the head?

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Chris,
I like your composition, image and capture. You have razor sharp details in the feathers with very pleasing soft colors. I also like the perch. Your head angle and eye contact are deads on...:) :)and the soft pastel mint green background akes it come alive. The bird placement in frame is just about right...good show...looking foward to your next creation...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

Great comments and all valid !!! The one thing that stands out the most is bird placement Would like to see it just a bit to the right so there will be more room from the bill tip to the edge than from tail to edge !!! Excellent !!!

[Harold Davis]

awesome details in the bird and a killer looking background!! is that some paintbrush marks i see on top of his head and back? nice job all around.

[Bruce Gove]

Hi Chris - I think the Rufous Towhee is now known as the Spotted Towhee here in the west. Overall, I like your image. I think most of the above comments are valid. I've found that you can get rid of the obvious brush marks like the ones over the head of this guy. After you finish with the clone tool, or whatever, just select the area again with the lasso and then lay some gaussian blur on it. You can reselect and blur as needed. Makes those obvious brush marks go away!!

Cheers,

Bruce

[Chris Hansen]

It helps to have others eyes pick up on all the details I seem to miss. So I really appreciate all of your imput. It is really helping me to pay more attention to the small details. So thanks you for all of your comments and advice.

God's light and blessings to all,

Chris