Singing Dickcissel

[Danny J Brown]

Taken at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area which lies at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. I took this shot out on the restored prairie unit this past spring (late morning). I really like dickcissels - they have a strange, metallic looking beak. The bird is on a nice-looking perch but unfortunately this form of thistle is an exotic invasive in Missouri. Although the full-res version is sharp I'm fearful of going much further w/sharpening here to avoid artifacts. I believe that my 1.4 takes just a little bit away from my 300 F4 lens. Thanks and I hope you enjoy this little guy.

Canon EOS40D; Canon 300F4 L IS + 1.4 TC; 1/400; F/6.3; EC 0; ISO 200; Manfrotto 055XB w/488RC2; Canon DPP + Lightroom II

[Doug Brown]

Great singing pose and I love the pair of thistles, one dead and one alive. I would probably have stopped down a bit to get the living version in focus. I might lighten the dark green area in front of the bird. Thanks for sharing!

[Adams Serra]

Hi Danny,
Beautifull picture, nice pose, BG and perch. I have not made up my mind about the live thistle, it keeps drawing my eyes away from the bird.

[scott benson]

stunning shot.

[Danny J Brown]

I don't like to significantly alter my photos but if somebody took that live thistle out, followed by a vertical crop..........huummm? Could be a sweet repost. Thanks guys.

[James Salywoda]

I love the singing pose and beautiful setting Danny a very nice shot.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Danny, I also like the singing pose and background. I agree with Doug that having the live thistle in focus would help. Bumping up the ISO to 400 or even up to 640 would have let you step down and gained more depth of field (I am sure you know this:)). In my experience the 40D preforms well enough at those ISO. I kind of like the inclusion of both thistles as I think they help the composition (just my opinion) and agree about not significantly altering your photo.

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Danny, I also like the singing pose and background. I agree with Doug that having the live thistle in focus would help. Bumping up the ISO to 400 or even up to 640 would have let you step down and gained more depth of field (I am sure you know this:)). In my experience the 40D preforms well enough at those ISO. I kind of like the inclusion of both thistles as I think they help the composition (just my opinion) and agree about not significantly altering your photo.

I agree Phil. Lately, I've just been leaving my 40D on ISO 400 as my standard starting point and have been getting great shots. I think I was previously addicted to buttery bokeh at 200 and lost some opportunities for a little more depth of field w/o loss of shutter speed at 400. And the ISO 400 background looks fine on the ole 40D. I tried a new 50D for awhile and sent it back and bought another 40D (refurbished). Love them both. Thanks for the tip though, always appreciated!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Wow, what a great looking bird and singing pose!

I could not resist to give it a try in PS, I had a different crop in mind, but decided for this one.
I truly hope you don't mind.

I very slightly sharpened and added a boost in contrast. Not a big fix though.

[Danny J Brown]

Not sure about the contrast boost Juan Carlos, but that stamp and crop is looking goooooood! Just what I envisioned. Thank you my good sir.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

P.S
To me the OOF thistle was competing with your subject, that's why I believed the vertical crop worked better in this case. Just my opinion.

[Harshad Barve]

What a beautiful species , lovely singing pose and killer BG
If mine I will keep it landscape only but may crop bit from bottom to maintain 3 x 2 aspect
TFS

[Danny J Brown]

Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions guys. That was really fun. I'm looking forward to the next one and to all of your photos coming in.

[Dan Brown]

Great shot brother!

[Malcolm Benn]

love the shot, great head and body angle .. agree on the flower being a bit distracting

[Glenda Simmons]

Your original post looked fantastic to me...wish it were mine. the vertical repost, also looks good.

[Danny J Brown]

Thanks Glenda, Malcolm and Danny!

[Matt Nichols]

I just want to say I am impressed, very well shot.

[Danny J Brown]

Thanks Matt - I appreciate it.