Chickadee In Fall Sumac

[Stephen Stephen]

This image was created last October when the Stag Horn Sumac were in their fall colours. Several chickadees were scouting us out looking for sunflower seeds and one finally landed on this sumac for a couple of seconds.

Rebel XT, Sigma 50-500 @ 500, ISO 400, F6.3, 1/320 sec. (nearly full frame crop)

I would have liked to have some some catchlight in the eye but the flash was recharging. The background is perhaps too bright for the subject, especially the bird's head. I do like the pose however.

[Alfred Forns]

Striking bg Stephen Would suggest cloning the one leaf touching the bird's back and lightening just a tad the area around the eye It is a fine pose and perfectly parallel to the plane Centering the bird works fine for me A keeper !!!!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great fall colors, I wouldn't change them since this is what it looks like. I agree with cloning the leaf on the back.

[Dean Ingwersen]

Superb BG...great colours. I agree with others - removing the leaf and a bit of lightening around the eye would make this zing. Great work.

[Gary Dumer]

Wow Some Great color here Stephen

[Stephen Stephen]

Thank you Al, Axel, Dean and Gary. Here's a re-worked version with the leaf cloned out and the eye catchlight brightened a bit.

[Roger Williams]

Very nice repost! Interesting how small changes result in a striking improvement.

[Tony Whitehead]

Stunning Stephen - repost really does it

[Del Cockroft]

Fantastic autumn colours. Love the pose of this little fellow. The image has great warmth.

[Blake Shadle]

The repost goes a long way in adding to this image, covers everything that I was going to mention. Nice work.

[Stephen Stephen]

Thank you Roger, Tony, Del and Blake. I appreciate the feedback.