White Throated Puff Bird - Costa Rica

[Stephen Stephen]

I created this image of another life list addition while on the Campus of Earth University in Costa Rica. I was with a group of 20 teachers, including my lovely wife, and we were about to take a hike on the university's "Monkey Ladder Trail"

Canon 40, Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm on Manfroto monopod. 1/400 seconds, F - 9, ISO 640, Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode

I didn't use flash because there wer so many people looking at the bird I felt that it might frighten it. Cropped to about 40% of full frame to portrait format from landscape. Cloned out a thin twig near tip of tail. Perhaps the BG could also use some noise reduction. The perch is thick but I like the green moss.

This bird reminds me a bit of a cross between a Kookaburra and a Kingfisher.

[Mike Lentz]

Nice pose. Is this a heavy crop? I see a fair amount of noise in the image, not sure if the 40D has issues at ISO 640.

[Stephen Stephen]

Mike,

Thanks for commenting. As I indicated in my first post this is 40% of full frame. I thnk that it might be my process flow that's causing the problem and I often see noise in clear blue sky BGs at even 400 ISO.

[Mike Lentz]

Ahh yes, I missed that part. :D

[Stephen Stephen]

Here's a revised version with Noise reduction applied.

[Mike Lentz]

Looks better, Stephen! Good re-work.
Not getting many comments on images around here lately. I suspect everybody is out photographing birds.:D