More Bluebirds

[Colin Knight]

Thanks to all those who have helped in the past weeks, as well as more recently here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=62163.

Due to the encouragement from others, I decided to try adding a perch in front of the nest today. My main concern was that it would bother the little guys, and I don't like getting to close. No such thing! They seem to like having a place to sit watchfully before they make the 3-4 inch hop into the nest to feed the young ones.

I have big plans for tomorrow. Weather permitting, it will dedicated to this project. Thanks for looking!

7D, 500mm, 1/3200 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1250, manual everything.

[Dave Mills]

Hey Colin,keep going! This is an improvement over the previous image. The head is sharp which is the key area and you also have the bird coming in at a better angle. I like the bug in it's mouth.
Nice if you could get one with the wings open as he's coming in...

[Colin Knight]

Thanks Dave. Regarding the wing position.....there's hope for tomorrow!

[Dave Mills]

Always hope my friend!!

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Colin Those are difficult birds and you did well with this one !! Agree with comments and they only thing I could add is having softer light !!

PS wise you did well with processing and nailed the exposure !! Good look with the next session, looking forward !!! ... like the tech settings a lot !!

[Bob Miller]

HI Colin....Like it alot....like the pose and clean bg. nicely done! Good luck with your project! Hope to see more.

[Gail Spitler]

Agree with the comments above, and kudos to you for continuing to work to creating an ever better image. I am sure that is the best way to keep our photography improving.
Cheers
Gail

[Colin Knight]

Thanks Alfred, Bob and Gail! I'm waiting a few hours until the sun gets in the right place and I'll be at it again!

[PeterCollins]

Hi Colin,

Love this one and nice improvement looking forward to seeing tomorrows efforts!

[Colin Knight]

Wait no more. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmP07r-zEO4

[Harold Davis]

nice job, colin!! go for a little nicer perch to...one without a broken end maybe. cant wait to see the next one!!

[Harold Davis]

cool vid, colin! "is it tack sharp, daddy?" classic!!!:D

[Colin Knight]

I'm training him up well! Thanks for checking out the video. =)

[Dave Mills]

Hi Colin, I checked it out also and liked the way you did it. Good suggestion regarding changing the perch. Not sure if the flowering trees have come and gone in SC but if they haven't they make beautiful perches...

[Colin Knight]

Excellent Dave, I'll be looking for just that thing tomorrow. Thanks!

[Lance Peters]

hi Colin - video rocks - nice work - looking forward to seeing some of those images - gotta love it when you have to travel all that distance to your letterbox to make lovely images.
:)

[Colin Knight]

That's right Lance! The video was made mostly for those relatively new to photography, and had some "kid footage" because the grandparents and relatives enjoy it. I don't expect anyone here to learn anything from it- entertainment value only. :)

[Troy Lim]

Love the wings being forward. I need to learn how to stage shots for small birds. ;)

[Colin Knight]

Good luck!! I haven't gotten the hang of it. It's funny, the male and female have different habits. The female will land on the perch almost every time. She'll sit there for several seconds, even almost a full minute! Then she'll hop in to the nest. The male will fly to the mailbox almost every time. He'll then jump down on to the perch and stay there just for a few seconds at the most, then he'll go feed the chicks and be gone just as quick.