Merlin on dead pine tree snag

[Grace Scalzo]

I've had this image in my files for a couple months, thinking about it. Here on Long Island, the towns collect spent Christmas trees and use them to support the dunes. Sometimes they end up on the beach where birds often use them as perches. This was taken just after sunrise on a super windy day, and while I do not love the perch, I've used a series of quick masks to minimize it and have decided that the bird and the light make it an image worthy of keeping. What do you think?

1/800, f8, ISO400
50D, 500 f4 + 1.4tc + tripod

[Daniel Cadieux]

It looks good Grace, I certainly would love a Merlin photograph like that in my files. Only thing is that it turned it's head a wee bit too much (IMO)...do you have one where the head angle is turned more towards us? Nice light and exposure on this individual. The square comp looks alright too.

[Doug Brown]

I would crop a bit off the bottom to minimize the visual impact of the perch. Great light and BG.

[bill kominsky]

Agree with all the above Grace but still a great image, well done.

Bill

[Raymond Barlow]

I like it a lot Grace, and would suggest a more panorama style crop if you have the room., awesome light and details.

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp. perfect EXP. Too much head turn and the perch is brutal... Good crop suggestion by Doug.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks, everyone. I'll go back to the files and examine other images for a better head turn...but as for the perch, I'm afraid it is just plain ugly, so maybe I'll keep a couple of this series just for the memory and trash the rest.

[Stu Bowie]

We cant choose their BG, or their perches, so to be honest, this perch doesnt really bother me. At least its not a telephone pole. This is well exposed, and nice and sharp.