Volcano Junco (Junco vulcani)

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

This is a nice species we have in Costa Rica. Actually, is endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama.
This picture was made at the highest pick of my country (12600ft) yes, it was very cold, at least for any average Costa Rican! (+3C.)

Canon 30D
Canon 35-350@350mm
f/5.6
1/3200sec. (yes, I am disappointed since I thought that by having such fast shutter speed the image was going to look very sharp, but I guess my lens is not very sharp when wide open):confused:
ISO 400
AV
No exposure comp.
Hand held.
The bg are some heavy clouds.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great-looking bird, I don't think I've seen this species before. Thanks for sharing. I like the angle, eye contact and composition. Too bad about the lack of sharpness. Is this a heavy crop? Stopping down to f/8 might have helped.

[Nate Chappell]

Nice comp and nice work getting up to the highest point in Costa Rica to get this Juan Carlos, I agree with trying a stop down from wide open.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Thanks Nate and Axel for your input.
Axel, I crop a little for compo, but I guess you are very right about going to f/8. I was so concentrated with shutter speed that didn't pay much attention to f number.

[Simon Bennett]

Very cool bird and he does looks like he is perched on THE highest peak.

[Ramon M. Casares]

I worked for years with a lens that wasvery bad from f7.1 and wider.. I had to shoot everything with f8 or more... you´ll get use to it ;) I like the pose, perch, light and colors though :)

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Very interesting image and I really like the pose and stern eye contact you capture. Hope you are able to post some more of this species. Thanks for sharing Juan.