Marsh Wren #2. Shot with a handheld Nikon D200, 80-400mmVR Nikkor lens at 400mm, f8, 1/1000 sec, Manual exp mode based on metering of blue northern sky +1.33 (+1.33 seems to have tamed the noise demons!) no flash. PP in CS3, ACR, no crop, QM'ed out a branch crossing the primary tips, selectively sharpened with NIK Sharpener Pro, noise reduction on BG with Noise Ninja. C&C welcome.
Not always the easiest bird to get out into the open. Unusual BG for this species...looks, well, snowy :-) I do wish for a better head angle, and maybe slight crops right and bottom. I like the visible feather patterns on the back.
Nice photo..head turn would make this photo. I've removed all the other twigs but left the bits of blue (had some time to kill, hope its ok with you). Bird exposure great. Love the sharpness of that lens, wish that Nikon would get off there butts and put a HSM in it. Thanks for all your ID help this year. Have a great Xmas and New Year. Paul
Sorry to all, I work midnight shift, must have been tired, I sent the wrong image, just got up, sent proper copy..thanks for pointing it out.
But I still like it better without OOF branches...thanks
Last edited by Paul Lagasi; 12-23-2008 at 02:00 PM.
Reason: Wrong image
Ah, but for the lack of a good head angle... Sharp, and I like the dreamy BKGR. Thanks Paul for your reposting efforts but the results are not good--there are clone stamp marks everywhere. Just tilt your screen up a bit. Best to use the techniques described here: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn275.htm in "Getting Rid of That Branch."
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Thanks to all for the comments. I knew the HAP would be on this one:D
Paul, your re-repost is much better. I still see some clone marks, but not bad. I really like my branches. I wished for a better head turn and because of the BG and branches, I posted it anyway. I appreciate your work and you are welcome for any help that I was this past year!