Darwin's Finch No. 1

[Bill Dix]

D90; 18-200 VR @ 200mm. ISO 400. f/16, 1/250s. -0.7 EV. HH. 62% of FF. Blurred the bg.

This is a Warbler Finch from the Galapagos - one of 13 "Darwin's Finch" species endemic to the Islands. I managed to see 8 of the 13, but didn't visit all the islands. Had mixed success in capturing images of them -- I'll try to post a few more. (I know the head turn of this one is less than perfect, but I felt lucky to capture this, since it is the only time I saw this species.) These are somewhat drab birds, but important to researchers from Darwin to more recent folks like Peter and Rosemary Grant who have studied their beak shape variation intensely for decades and thus have demonstrated evolution occurring in real time, not just over eons. I highly recommend reading "The Beak of the Finch" by Jonathan Weiner, a most readable (and Pulitzer Prize winning) account of the Grant's research. C&C encouraged and appreciated.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Bill - HA does not bother me here as he appears to be concentrating on the flower.
Exposure looks good - wondering about the F16 Though!! Which is why you blurred the BG I am guessing.
Like the composition -perhaps a tad too much sharpening to the bird?? For my tastes feels just a little tight at the top- just a tad more room up there.
Loving seeing your Galapagos images :)

[Harold Davis]

looks almost 3D. kinda neat. i agree with lance about the head angle.

thanks for the recommendation on the book. might check that out!!

[Bill Dix]

Hi Bill - HA does not bother me here as he appears to be concentrating on the flower.
Exposure looks good - wondering about the F16 Though!! Which is why you blurred the BG I am guessing.
Like the composition -perhaps a tad too much sharpening to the bird?? For my tastes feels just a little tight at the top- just a tad more room up there.
Loving seeing your Galapagos images :)

Thanks Lance. I can't explain the f/16, and was surprised when I looked at the EXIF. Obviously I could have traded some stops for some additional SS.

[Alfred Forns]

Image looks fine Bill and good point by Lance the bird is looking at the flower, just fine !!! Do like the presentation and PS work !! Neat image to have in your files !!!

[Rachel Hollander]

Bill - I agree with the others, there's something about the way the finch is looking at the flower that makes this a very pleasing image.

TFS,
Rachel

[Ann Fiske]

Really nice capture Bill! Is that some kind of wild geranium? Leaves look like it.

ann

[Dave Mills]

Hi Bill, What I find interesting is how the bird is holding on to it's perch. Agree with comments above regarding oversharpening. If you shot this at F11 you probably would have muted the backround more and kicked your shutter speed a bit...
Since this appears to be a very average exposure I'm not sure why you felt a need to go -.07.

[Bill Dix]

Really nice capture Bill! Is that some kind of wild geranium? Leaves look like it.

ann

Thanks Ann. I don't know the plant - my one Galapagos natural history book doesn't seem to show it.

[Bill Dix]

Hi Bill, What I find interesting is how the bird is holding on to it's perch. Agree with comments above regarding oversharpening. If you shot this at F11 you probably would have muted the backround more and kicked your shutter speed a bit...
Since this appears to be a very average exposure I'm not sure why you felt a need to go -.07.

Thanks Dave. When I looked at the posted image I also thought it looked just a bit oversharpened. As to the settings, this is a problem I often have. The camera is set for a different subject and light condition (in this case, landscapes), when another opportunity suddenly appears. I'm so concerned the bird will fly off that I start shooting before thinking what my settings are. I need to become quicker at making spur-of-the-moment adjustments through the viewfinder.

[Dave Mills]

Hi Bill, very understandable regarding the settings. I think everyone has made that mistake at one time or another. I know I have!