Blackcollared Barbet

[Stu Bowie]

This was taken in a friends garden. They had a feeder set up, and it attracted all sorts of species. This image is nearly two years old when I was shooting with a Nikon, and just starting off with digital photography.
I removed some light spots in the BG, and added canvas to the LHS.

Nikon D50
70-300 @ 300mm
1/160
F/8
ISO 400

[Daniel Cadieux]

What a neat looking bird! Exposure looks spot on, and the added canvas at left does balance the comp nicely (wise decision on your part). I do wish the head was angled more towards us, and the shadow on the perch is somewhat distracting. I'd try to tone down the lighter parts running along the edges of the perch. Thanks for sharing this very cool species :-)

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Very striking composition Stuart !! Love the pose and superb eye contact as well as the excellent exposure and detail. The BG really sets the Barbet off beautifully. Congratulations on a fine image.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Beautiful bird, great details and eye contact. I might give it a bit more room top and bottom and might remove the white spots on the perch.

[Tony Whitehead]

Good job on the Barbet, Stuart. Dan has covered the main points. May be an option to tone down the sharpening on the back a bit. I love the eye.

[Arthur Morris]

Perfect timing on the HA and ditto Dan. This is one bird that I would not like to meet in a dark alley....

[Garry Coldwells]

Stuart,

I remember these birds from my youth. Your capture is well represented here with all the critical sharpness required.

Cheers boet.


Garry

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Devil looking fellow!

Love the combination of red and black. Pose is great as details. Great job.

[Dave Barnes]

One out of the archives Stu, Linn will be proud. Goo colour and detail. Nice Comp.

[Linda Robbins]

What a great-looking bird! I would eliminate the light areas on either side of the perch. When you are working on a set up in the yard, it's a great idea to change out perches that become whitewashed or dirty, or if they are permanent you can scrub them clean before a photo session. Nice capture!

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

:o I love it. What a species... rarely presented in any forums.
See you soon in South Africa :) Will be a joy to explore the country not only from birding point of view :)

Szimi

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the kind comments. Much appreciated.

[Glenn Bartley]

Stunning! What a cool species.