Meadowlark

[Grady Weed]

This Meadowlark was imaged at Joe Overstreet near St CLoud Florida. It was along the dirt road about 3/4 of the ways down from the main road, Canoe Creek Road on the right side. It was 1 of about 12 flitting around from fence post to pasture. It was rather cooperative from my van window. Hand held. I kept the near 3/4 frame to accentuate the habitat and give it some space to move around in. I also liked the fence post and barbed wire.

Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, Shooting Date/Time 2/12/2009 06:36:27, Shutter Speed 1/1250Sec. Av(Aperture Value) F5.6, Evaluative Metering, Exposure Compensation +1/3, ISO 400, Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM, RAW, Flash Off, White Balance Auto, AI Servo AF.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great find and eye contact. While I can see that you wanted to include the barbed wire, it leaves too little room at the top for my taste and the perch overpowers the bird. I might decrease the yellow saturation a few points.

[John Chardine]

For me I like out of the box thinking like this. Good one Grady. It is an unorthodox frame/crop and it pushes the boundaries. I love the warm tones in the image.

[Mike Lentz]

The "classic" Meadowlark on a fencepost image. The BG is strong and the bird sharp. I agree about dialiong down the yellows a wee bit.

[Bonnie Block]

I like it Grady, and I agree about pushing the limits a bit here--and I think it is OK. I love barb wire on the fence post (must of been my horsey background)--btw-is that horse hair on the fence??

[Stephen Stephen]

Nice one Grady. I like your idea of including the wire (and the horsehair?). I do find that the bird needs a bit more head room so I might be tempted to add a bit more at the top of the frame.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree about adding a bit of canvas above and desaturating the yellows a few points. Otherwise very neat composition, and I love the "country" feel to this image.

[Grady Weed]

Bonnie; Yes that is horse hair on the fence. Joe Overstreet is a working ranch with Brahma, some beef and milk cows, not too many.

All others; I have more room up top to give and the yellows are as is from the frame. So I can de-saturate them some. The yellow on the breast of the Meadowlark is very intense, it is what it was.

Thanks everyone for all the good comments and constructive critiques.