Canon 20D, 100-400L+1.4x Extender II @560mm, 0.8 sec, f/11, ISO 400, tripod, mirror lockup, cable release, 30% crop of the frame.
Shot near my home in Korschenbroich, NRW, Germany on some hedges along one of the orchards where these magnificient birds are being helped by the local wildlife conservation trust by providing them with nest boxes as old trees with natural hollow areas are becoming scarce...
Stunning eye contact in this image and wonderful detail. Normally I do not lke such a tight crop but it works for me in the image. thanks for sharing !1
Great detail - So, the 1-400 with TCs doesn't work?. This looks sharp to me. I like the eye contact. To me this overcomes the leaf in the BG. Besides, the leaf looks natural.
I like the close crop and the direct look. Good depth of field and the background is not distracting to me. Enjoyed the story...it's nice when people give the birds a hand.