Yellow Headed blackbird drinking

[Ben Egbert]

I go to Peone Prairie, wet Lands on the approach to Mt Spokane each spring. These birds are a favorite subject. Last spring I found this guy getting a drink which was a different shot than my more usual perched on a cat tail shot. I have another where he is looking up, but preferred this pose.

I realize that grass blade is distracting, but that does not look like a clone job I could pull off, so I left it in.

50D, 500f4+1.4X at f5.6

Iso200, 1/400 sec from Tripod/Wimberley sidekick.

This is probably a 50% crop; wish I could estimate crop size better.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

The grass blade and the shadow it casts on the bird is a bid distracting, but no big deal. You have a sharp image with nice feather details. I like the reflection in the water and the environment around the bird (except that one grass blade). I like the looking down too, it looks like the bird is looking for something in the water which in turn make me want to know more about the image, good job.

[Ben Egbert]

The grass blade and the shadow it casts on the bird is a bid distracting, but no big deal. You have a sharp image with nice feather details. I like the reflection in the water and the environment around the bird (except that one grass blade). I like the looking down too, it looks like the bird is looking for something in the water which in turn make me want to know more about the image, good job.

Thanks for your comments. I have other YHBB with more ideal settings and backgrounds, but this was different if flawed. I suppose I just wanted to see if the obstructions outweigh the uniquness of the pose and setting.

[Kyle Marie Barcelos]

I also agree with Thanaboon, Sharp, nice colors. The only thing for me is there is a lot going on with the grass the mud. Did you get any other pics w/out so much. I know it's hard to get birds, you have to have patience :) Keep them coming. Great job.

[Harold Davis]

the light is really nice on this one. grass blades mentioned, the yellows look a little oversaturated also. beautiful bird. hope to see some more from you!

[Gus Cobos]

This is a beautiful capture Ben, I agree with the techs. and the good advise given...keep them coming...:cool:

[Ben Egbert]

I also agree with Thanaboon, Sharp, nice colors. The only thing for me is there is a lot going on with the grass the mud. Did you get any other pics w/out so much. I know it's hard to get birds, you have to have patience :) Keep them coming. Great job.

I have dozens of YHBB, some are very clean in terms of background. I will post one in coming weeks. Just wanted to get an opinion of this particular pose.

This particular scene was a one time deal though, I have other versions, but the background is always the same. I do have a heads up version with perhaps better eye contact, but not as interesting pose.

[Ben Egbert]

the light is really nice on this one. grass blades mentioned, the yellows look a little oversaturated also. beautiful bird. hope to see some more from you!

Hi, been reading REDucation, and working on yellow/red issues. Toning down will eventually be a matter of developing some judgement on my part about when it is enough. Thanks for your input, just the sort of feedback required for this.

I do these YHBB a lot in the spring, I have started to prefer some overcast to avoid blown red/yellow channels. hard to get the yellow (or red in a red wing BB) and still have detail in the blacks. Especially at first light when it is directly behind you.

But when these guys sing, you need 1/250 min to freeze the beak. So you need a fair bit of light.

[Jill Davis]

Great picture. Love the light on the bird

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice shot, might have increased ISO to 400 to gain more shutter (looks a tad soft). The hue is all about feel, some like it to like it to look natural (me) others like to push it and accentuate colors. I am sure you know the head angle protocol, always best when even with camera or slight look in. I like this moment in nature shot - well done.

[Ben Egbert]

This is the other shot, heads up, and the first image was flipped to get right facing but this one is not. I opened up to f5.6 and got shutter speed up to 1/500 for this one. The grass is not over the bird here, but I liked the heads down pose better.

Opps, I just grabbed this out of my main gallery and see it may be too large at 1024 high. Sorry.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Ben = all covered above - good looking bird, looking forward to more.
No biggie but usually best to post a new image (even if it is of the same bird) in a separate thread.
Keep em coming :)

[Jeff Cashdollar]

This is a beautiful bird, I would enjoy seeing more pictures of this baby - nice job, great habitat pictures.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Even though your second post doesn't have a blade of grass going across it I still like the first one better.

[Ben Egbert]

Even though your second post doesn't have a blade of grass going across it I still like the first one better.

I agree, that's why I posted the first. Sometimes behavior and pose trumps other qualities. Of course the first would be better if all the other things like HA, better background were also there. I guess thats why we keep going back.

[Alfred Forns]

Very nice Bob Don't mind the grass much and is not detracting from bird, might take out the shadow (from grass) which is easy fix. I think it will be a stronger image with a crop from the bottom just below the eye.

Difficult having little birds look good on the ground and you an excellent image !!!