Got egg, look for nest!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I photographed this female Brown-headed Cowbird in pretty dim light a few days ago. I toned down the leaves and cropped from horizontal.



1D3, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/125s, f/8, EC +0.33, ISO 400

[Arthur Morris]

Nice bird, setting, EXP, and image design. EXC HA for this pose.

[Randy Stout]

Axel:

Nice job with the low light. The image is sharp, good detail,well exposed. I might have tried a couple shots at higher ISO to get more SS flexibility, but I can't argue with the result.

I am glad you toned down the leaves, as I still find them just a bit bright.

Thanks

Randy

Thanks for sharing.

[Stu Bowie]

Axel, lovely pose, framed nicely between the leaves and the edge of the frame. Amazingly sharp considering your FL and ss, and I like the BG. I also feel the leaves could be toned down a tad. Still, well captured.

[Bryan Erb]

Nice image, nice pose, perch, an BG.

[Jasper Doest]

I agree on toning down the leaves, but besides that this is a nice one. Good composition...well seen.

[David Thomasson]

That's a beauty ... composition, perch, surroundings, head angle ... it's all there.

In addition to toning down the leaves (quite a bit), I would isolate the bird and make some adjustments there -- levels to brighten without clipping highlights, s/h to bring out shadow details in the lower part, and paint out the green cast (from reflected light) on the lower belly.

(animated gif)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Thank you for your suggestions, David! Much appreciated.

[Mark Dumbleton]

Great image Axel. I feel the repost by David does give the image a bit more punch.

[Chris Kotze]

Super colours pose and a great BG. Well captured and exposed