White-breasted Nuthatch.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Quite a common local resident - and almost always overlooked during breeding season/migration. Now that migration has eased up these guys are now once again starting to get their fair share of attention :-) Black sunflower seeds placed on rock to lure it there.

Canon 40D + 100-400L @285mm, aperture priority, evaluative metering, 1/400s., f/6.3, ISO 640, no EC, natural light, handheld, full frame left to right.

[Aidan Briggs]

Nice BG, perch, and exposure. It feels like autumn. I like the spotlight effect on the head. IMO the crop is a tad tight, but I like rather loose crops.

[Ilija Dukovski]

I like the detail on the bird, nice HA and pose (very unusual for the species),
BG is nice "autumn" one too.

[George Hagi]

The body and right leg of the bird should be more in focus . Either your technique or something wrong ,front focus issue with your lens .

[Daniel Cadieux]

The body and right leg of the bird should be more in focus . Either your technique or something wrong ,front focus issue with your lens .

Hi George,

Please explain how a perfectly focussed and sharp eye equals something wrong with my technique or equipment???

[Wayne Wood]

Critical focus area is bang on Dan, the eye is crystal clear, excellent work as usual buddy.

[Doug Brown]

Focus seems fine to me, as does the tight crop. I like the light and the great BG colors. I'm not accustomed to seeing these guys standing on a rock.

[George Hagi]

Hi George,

Please explain how a perfectly focussed and sharp eye equals something wrong with my technique or equipment???

Perfectly focus on critical parts sometimes is not enough . Only the eye in perfect focus does not make this little bird the perfect shot in to my books .
Anyway this is my opinion .:)

[Gary Esman]

Looks good just a very tight DOF!

[Marina Scarr]

This capture really works. I love the BG which is quite unique. It really helps the bird pop and the colors all work together nicely. I really like the lighter bird with an otherwise darker BG>

[Daniel Cadieux]

Perfectly focus on critical parts sometimes is not enough . Only the eye in perfect focus does not make this little bird the perfect shot in to my books .
Anyway this is my opinion .:)

I understand that perfect focus on the eye is not always enough for the "complete picture". Your initial remark (and this one too) pertains exclusively on focus issues...this is why I gave the reply that I did.

Regards.

[Harshad Barve]

such a little cute bird , lovely setting and compo works very well here for me
TFS

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Daniel this is a special bird. First time I see it here at BPN.

Love the crystal clear eye and the dark BG.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, sharp beak for a little fellow, and his claws sure are holding onto the rock. Great eye, and thanks for the tip on the sunflower seeds.

[Betsie Storm]

Daniel, Not familiar with this species (need to get my N-American bird book out, I guess) but I like the light bird/dark BG contrast and the pin sharp eye. Very pleasing image.

[Kiran Poonacha]

wished for a little more DOF, Good compo, loved the spot light effect.. congrats..

[James Salywoda]

I too love the bg Daniel nice fall colors I also like the pose and excellent details your angle of capture was perfect.

[Paul Lagasi]

You can always depend on Nuthatches...nice image, focus bang on to me