Saw this cuckoo for the first time last week but he was very shy and stayed in the shrubs. I spent a couple of hours each day we were on the game farm sitting\ lying on the dirt road close by and last he flew to this sandy patch to catch a bug. Guess the light is a bit harsh but I am still thrilled to have caught the beautiful irridescent green colour of this male cuckoo in a natural environment so it's a keeper until I get something better.
Canon EOS1DMk11
300f/4 with 2x extender
AV priority
f/8
exp. bias -1EV
exp. Time: 1/2000sec
ISO 400
Centre weighted
As a 'bird in it's environment' shot I think it's pretty good, especially as you've capturing the lovely iridescent green plummage.
Things that strike me about the photo are; 1) it's side lit, but I guess that with it being a wary bird, you took what you could get when it came close, 2) the bird is looking left and, generally, the rule is to give more room to the side the bird is looking, 3) the bird could do with some selective sharpening (especially in the head area, to bring out it's eye and beak).
This may be a bit harsh, so let's see what the experts have to say.
That's one beautiful bird, Jeni! I like the surrounding environment and the clean BG behind. Agree with you that the light is a little harsh, but you did well in spite of it. I would add a little more room to the left and crop off a little on the right. Agree with Julian on sharpening the bird's head a little. Well done, and thanks for sharing!
Now that's green! very nice bg. Agree with cropping and sharpening suggestions already given. You might also consider cropping just a tad off the bottom
Hi Jeni - agree with the advice already given - Loks like your point of focus may have been on the breast area rather than the head - that would account for the softness in the head area. The harshish light and the light angle aren't great - hope you get more chances with him - love the greens.
Hi Jeni - wonderful bird. I like the composition, HA, sharpness . I understand why you'll hang onto this one until a better comes along. Some of our local swallows have feathers with similar iridescence and it wasn't until I got a decent image of one in light shade, that I was able to capture the actual feather detail. It might help with your cuckoo?
I'm looking forward to the one you'll label permanent keeper.
Cheers
Gail
Klaas's cuckoo
