Dark-eyed Junco

[Bill Dix]

D90; 80-400 VR @ 400 mm. ISO 500. f/7.1 @ 1/250. Matrix metering @ +0.7 EV. Aperture priority. Handheld.

Another backyard bird, this time outdoors without the intervening glass door. It makes a difference. This Slate-colored Junco (fem.) was perched on the edge of a snow-filled planter. Removed some twigs and cropped about 50%. Don't know if the sunflower seed in the beak helps or hurts. C&C appreciated.

[Harold Davis]

personally, i like the open beak, but not sure if i like the seed of not. tons of detail here!! love it! techs look good and processing looks good. only could wish for a more natural perch. nice job, bill!!!!

[Julie Brown]

Bill, I like the seed, and the perch doesn't bother me. :)

[Flora Marlatt]

I got a similar shot of a cardinal with a drop of water in his mouth -- since I have noticed them eating snow after they visit the feeder -- sort of looked like your seed...

[Oscar Zangroniz]

I like it as presented Bill. I think the seeds adds to the natural way of birds.

[Katie Rupp]

Hi Bill,
The open bill and seed make this one interesting but I prefer the Sparrow image you posted earlier, in spite of the glass---at least partly because of the perch which has a more in-nature feel. That said, nice catch here.