Ash-Throated Flycatcher

[Mark Schmitt]

April, it is the time of renewal. In Keysville ( a small area below the Kern River dam, in an area where gold prospecting was conducted in the 19th century) April sees the hills turn a verdant, velvet green; wild flowers form mats of color like pools of paint on an artists palat; trees bear a fine compliment of leaves; creeks are flowing through small runnoffs and streams; the air is scented with a complex bouque of aromas. It is the stuff that inspires poets and artists. To this visual melange comes the migrants on wing from the regions of the world where they have spent the winter. After an energetic, and energizing, walk up the slope the campera is set up to capture what may pose for a portrait. On this day a dapper Ash-Throated takes up a postion on the branch of an oak tree that has long since died. What a contrast against the green hill-side. The whole thing is captured for the memory of a fine spring, April day.

Self critique: I like this one.

EXIF
Camera: Canon 30D
Lense: Canon EF 500 IS L f4.0
Mode: Aperture priority
ISO: 500
White bal. Custom 5500K
Exposure: 1/4000 @ f6.3; exp. comp -1; fill flash + .33 comp, Better Beamer extender

Feel free

[Steve Canuel]

Pano crop works well with this branch and pose. Nice looking bird with detail and nice colors. Was he taking a step or just landing?

[Phil Ertel]

Nice image. I also like the composition. The exposure and details looks good. To me it doesn't looked flashed at all (good job). You have a good head turn. The background is pleasing. If it were mine I would see how it looked by lighiting/toning down the dark bit in the upper left hand corner. Might help might not. I do think it nice as presented. Thanks for sharing

[Juan Aragonés]

I like too, Mark ... and the text too ;-)
The overall composition works fine for me but I would considered the possibility of just a little bit of additional room at the top and right of the composition. Love the perch, bird´s pose and softlight (very wise fill flash use). I would try to increase the saturation of that beautifull green in the BG. Very good job :-)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice! The techs look perfect. I love the choice of comp with the elongated perch and horizontally posed subject, but I agree with more room above and a bit at right. I would also prefer if there was better separation between foot and leg as they presently merge into one another. I loved reading your text, makes me want the weekend to arrive sooner!! P.S. nice self-critique, I agree with it too :-)