Magpie shrike

[michael]

Canon 1d mk 3, Canon 600 mm f4 lens, ISO 400, 1/1000, f8.0

[Randy Stout]

Michael:

What a tail. It makes the composition a bit challenging. I might be tempted to crop up from the bottom about 1/2 the way to the 1st spike on the branch.

I assume you used some exposure compensation for this very dark bird against the light sky, or shot in manual?


The blacks actually look a bit washed out, as if you had to recover from underexposure.

Let us know a few more details!

Thanks for sharing!

Randy

[michael]

Thank you for the comments Randy, I thought that I had posted the exposure details, I shot it in manual using an ambient light reading.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I'm not sure I have seen this species before, did you make this in England? The tail really is astounding, makes you wonder how he successfully hunts. Exposure looks good, I only wish for a bit more head turn towards you. I might crop a bit off top and bottom.

[Amy Marques]

You did a great job in exposing those blacks. I agree with the cropping off a bit more from the top and bottom- it certainly isn't an easy image to compose. Not sure if it's caused by the light or sharpening, but I detect a halo. Nice capture.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Light was a bit harsh to my taste, but the exposure is great IMO. Lovely pose, nice clean scene, and terrific species! Congratulations!

[Erich Stevens]

Stunning bird! I wonder if the image would work better as a vertical. To my eye, the long tail almost suggests it. The BG is even toned enough to add plenty of canvas in almost any direction.