Golden-headed Cisticola

[Gerard Satherley]

Cisticola exilis

Taken on Ash Island, which is just north of Newcastle on the NSW Coast, Australia. These are tiny spirited birds with attitude.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f/4, f/7.1, 1/1000, ISO 800, -0.33 EBV, Flash B.B. -2.3. Cropped to vertical.

[Robert Amoruso]

Cool looking bird on a super clean BG. I would like to have seen the whole perch in focus but you probably were as high as you would want to be in ISO and as slow as you would want to go in shutter speed. Bird is sharp and perch attractive and not large so you did just right there IMO.

Overall, the bird and perch appears very yellow. Is this due to light? Perhaps reducing yellow saturation is worth a try.

Nice work.

[Ramon M. Casares]

I think this is one of the most exquisit and stunnig images I've seen lately, great pose and atitude, great light and exposure, terrific perch and BG, lovely comp and sutnning detail, I love it as presented! Big, Huge congratulaitons!

[Trey Barron]

I like this one as well. The light and details are just terrific. I do wish the whole perch was in focus but would be thrilled to have it.

[Dave Mills]

I agree with Ramon...simply stunning image!!

[Doug Hitchcox]

No nits... This is a great shot. Lighting, pose, perch... all perfect. I'm not usually a fan of sky background but it makes a good contrast to the yellows here.

[Dean Ingwersen]

Really nice Gerard, they are a cool little bird aren't they. I really like the DOF, the light and the pose...great work!

[Jon Thornton]

Don't tell me you've defected from BirdingOz too!

Nice shot Gerard. Excellent light and pose.

PS. I picked up my 500mm VR last week. Finally, I've got a bit of focal length to work with.

[Gerard Satherley]

Thanks everyone for your comments

Don't tell me you've defected from BirdingOz too!

Jon I still call BirdingOz home, this where I come for some inspiration.

[Arthur Morris]

Spectacular. I love the open mouth and the raised feathers on the back. EXP and head angle perfect. I would like to have seen a bit more room below to include the last group of leaves entirely. Or, with not to much work they could be removed.

[adrian dancy]

I like this very much...well done.

[Blake Shadle]

Gerard, this is outstanding! The composition and the moment captured are great. Excellent lighting, very sharp, well exposed, and the head angle is right on. Really like the catch light. Great work.