Common Waxbill - South Africa

[John Deakin]

I have wanted to capture these very small and skittish subjects for some time now and decided to sit for a few hours a few days ago and try my best to do them justice. This was captured from approx 4 meters using a tripod, and wimberley II. I cropped the image to include the oof King Protea flower in the BG for two reasons, I like the colours which kinda match the waxbill and I also like the way it shows how tiny the waxbill is in comparison. I have received mixed views on including the flower, ,most like it and I would be interested in what you guys think. I did get others with a clean BG but I think I prefer this one.

D3
500 VR
matrix
1/800
ISO 400
D-lighting on high
aperture priority

Thanks for any comments and suggestions, john

[Vincent Grafhorst]

I love the protea in the BG John, that puts this over the top for me! Great image of a lovely little bird that is not easy to photograph, certainly not with a protea in the BG! You could only have wished for a more attractive perch maybe.

[Tony Whitehead]

Love the colours here, John. Head posture and lighting great. A bit of noise in the BG and a slight sharpening halo -masking the sharpening onto the bird only may help this. Lovely shot - I am quite envious of this one:)

[John Chardine]

Very nice to see such a familiar cage bird in the wild! This is a great capture and the only thing I would suggest is a bit more room at the top.

[Ramon M. Casares]

I love it! Composition and colours are great, the bird is beautifull and the sharpness is outstanding as well, about the flower in the BG I like it very much and I think is a nice touch but I would've liked it to be a bit more OOF. Still, congratulations on such a wonderfull shot!

[David Steele]

A lovely image John. Love the flower. A pity the branch goes out of focus at the top.

[John Deakin]

Thanks to you all for the helpful comments and suggestions, each one taken on board for next time and appreciated, john