Grasshopper Sparrow and Friend

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I got pretty lucky yesterday morning when I found this bird singing on a thistle. Then the bee tried to land on the flower and I was afraid that the sparrow might take off but they figured out how to do their thing without bugging each other. :) In the BG are trees that are far away.



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

[Melvin Grey]

Very nicely composed image, Axel, with very nice complimentary tones in the BG. Great pose from the bird!

[Marina Scarr]

Everything works here, Axel. The color of the BG is quite unusual and really works with the other colors here. Love the fact that the flower is in bloom, the birds foot is spread out on the bloom and the bird singing is a huge plus. It all came together nicely here.

[Ilija Dukovski]

OK, so you've reached a point of perfection:)

I really like the composition with the two flowers, perfect HA and bird pose,
very nice contrast of cold-color BG and warm colors of the bird. The bee is a bonus,
and does not distract from the main subject (The bee is not bugging the sparrow, nor the sparrow is birding the bee:D)

It is also great to see the entire foot, adds to the comp. Also I like the fact that the 2nd flower is diagonally positioned.
Congrats!

[Grace Scalzo]

I have nothing but accolades for this image. Period.

[Morkel Erasmus]

this is super! love the sharpness, BG, colour and comp. love how the bird's feet are flattening the thistle :)

[Kiran Poonacha]

great Image Axel, loved the pose and setting here. Very colourful frame too.. congrats..

[Fabs Forns]

No wonder you were so excited about thsi bird, what a great presentation, with soft light, beautiful perch and perfect BG.
Fantastic!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Thanks, Peter! I have a vertical crop that I will post later, it looks a bit different, though.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

beautiful singing pose/colors and perch!

[Hugh J McLaughlin]

I prefer the original post as it has a nice balance to it.

[Ramon M. Casares]

The OP worked better, more room and the second flower is a nice touch. Great singing pose, detail, light, BG, colors and Comp. Congratulations!

[Doug Brown]

Like the compo and action captured Axel. If I were being picky, I might have bumped the ISO and gone for a bit more DOF; the second flower is slightly OOF and for that reason my eye is drawn to it. Short of that, I'd sharpen the second flower a little more. Very nice image overall!

[David Roach]

You took full advantage!!!! Love the pose (singing and the full foot) and the composition on this one!!!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very nice image Axel. Love the singing pose and flowers. I would tone down the stem on the right, it's too bright.

[Doug Hitchcox]

Love this photo Axel! Great job capturing this bird. It might just be me, but there seems to be a minor magenta cast to it. Its not to noticeable because the flower colors compliment it so well but it seemed like the bird had more natural (buffy) colors when I brought the Color Levels to 0,+12,0... bumping it more towards green. Let me know what you think... it could just be a tired set of eyes.

[Stu Bowie]

I like the comp as is, and the second thistle adds to the image. Well timed to capture the singing pose, and what a great OOF BF.

[Dave Barnes]

I also like it as presented, as the OOF thistle does not draw your attention away from the main subject.
Fantastic image, very well presented.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Love this photo Axel! Great job capturing this bird. It might just be me, but there seems to be a minor magenta cast to it. Its not to noticeable because the flower colors compliment it so well but it seemed like the bird had more natural (buffy) colors when I brought the Color Levels to 0,+12,0... bumping it more towards green. Let me know what you think... it could just be a tired set of eyes.

Thanks, Doug! I see what you mean but this is the way I remember the light. It was early in the morning and no direct sunlight since there were thin clouds.