Spotted Pardalote with nesting materials

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Captured this female Spotted Pardalote (aka Diamondbird) at Cranebrook last September as she was bringing some nesting materials under a flowerpot where she and her mate were building. Cropped to 70% of original, not much I could do to isolate her and her mate as they always hopped onto the same branch and the framing opportunities were limited.

30D, 300mm f/4L IS USM, +1/3 exp. comp., ISO800, f/8, 1/800th, 430ex at zero or slightly above from memory.

[Wayne Ellis]

The eye is tack sharp. Colours look a little flat on this screen. All the best mate

[David Roach]

Sharp where it needs to be. Love the nesting behavior. Perhaps take off the left and add to the bottom. A bird I'd love to see one day!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Beautiful bird and great behavior captured, I also like the details. I agree regarding increasing saturation and might clone out the branches in the BG.

[Lowell Sims]

My eye is drawn immediately to the catch light in eye. The branch behind the bird's rump is a minor distraction since the focus starts to fade in that area.

[Harold Davis]

agree with axel on cleaning up the bg. would simplify the image a bit. i like the action captured!!

[Tony Kirkby]

Very nice Akos. I don't mind the background but might remove the branch on the left hand side. In any case very nice as is

[Stu Bowie]

Great close up, and the head is really sharp. A huge bonus for capturing her nesting material, and I would get rid of the prominent branch on the left.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thanks for all encouragement. :) Here is a VERY QUICK repost with removal of LHS junk. I feel that I do need to leave at least some vegetation as otherwise it becomes way too clean?

[Harold Davis]

i agree, akos. this looks much better!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

THanks Harold. I am sure I can also do better with the QM effort. :)