Just back from a short trip to the Eastern Sierra where I found this male Macgillivray's trying to make it through a late spring snow storm. He foraged in front of me for about twenty minutes and then flew out onto the dirt road and just sat there, so I laid down and did the "belly in the snow" shot. The sun was about to appear when I left him, so I think he did ok? Nearly full frame, PP'ed in ACR and CS3, Sharpened and NR with Noiseware Pro. C&C welcome.
He doesn't look very happy in the snow! I like the puffed-up feathers, the low angle, and the sharpness. Exposure looks good too. I would crop in a little tighter to remove some of the dark stuff in the foreground. And I do wish the eye was open.
Dan, this image really caught my eye for its combination of warmth (warbler) and cold. To my eye it needs about 5 deg of cw rotation (pulled it into photoshop) and then recomposed with a substantial chunk off the bottom. You may have to add some canvas on top. Also, I think his shoulder needs some additional light sharpening. Maybe some cleanup to the spots in the snow, too, depending on your taste. THat said, this is a memorable image and I'm really happy that you shared it.
This image sure tells a story. Between the snow, half closed (or half opened:)) eye, and the fluffed up pose to keep warm you sure have an unusual warbler image. I don't mind the slanted ground, but I would crop off below to above the dark blotches as those add nothing to the image and there is too mauch room down there anyhow (IMO). Well done to get down low when you saw the opportunity present itself!
I like the angle, sharpness and fluffed-up pose. The half-closed eye does not bother me in this case as it shows that the bird is probably quite unhappy. I hope the little guy made it.
Macgillivray's Warbler in snow
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