Curious Pheasant

[BillTyler]

I'd been out photographing at Palo Alto Baylands, and was driving away, when I noticed this pheasant walking around in an empty gravel parking lot. I grabbed my camera, and drove into the lot, staying away from the bird. Rather than fleeing, the pheasant persistently approached the car, coming within a foot or so, and walking around it to look at it from all sides. I kept backing away because the bird was so close the car window sill got in the way of the lens.

D300
f/11
1/800
ISO 800

Bill

[Lance Peters]

Hi Bill - like the inquisitive look on this guy - Would crop this one vertically and tight - too much negative space around for my personal tastes - as well the BG is a little bright and tends to take the focus away from your subject.
Might just back the reds off a tad - and add a touch more sharpening to the bird

Keep them coming

[Cheryl Flory]

now I would have cropped the same way as Bill, think the rule of thirds, etc.

When do you center your subject?

[BillTyler]

Hi Bill - like the inquisitive look on this guy - Would crop this one vertically and tight - too much negative space around for my personal tastes - as well the BG is a little bright and tends to take the focus away from your subject.
Might just back the reds off a tad - and add a touch more sharpening to the bird
\

Here's a slightly sharpened, cropped, slightly de-redded, and background-darkened version.

Bill

[Alfred Forns]

Cooperative bird Bill !!!

I like the tighter image and remember to get on sun angle !!! ... and getting low !!!! Neat !!

[carole wiley]

Much prefer the repost, bird stands out much better.

[Gus Cobos]

Hey Bill,
Your repost is much stronger, I like the tighter crop...:cool: