When nature smiles

[Hilary Hann]

I don't post in Avian very often as I just don't have the fire power, sadly. And I look in envy at some of the wonderful images in this forum. Yesterday I was out feeding the horses when a young bronze winged pigeon landed nearby. As I worked it followed me at a distance looking very interested in any bits of fallen feed. Sending my husband off to get my camera I grabbed a handful of oats and sat on the ground hoping to encourage it closer. It was very young and fearless and I wonder if some neighbours are feeding the wild birds. No other accounting for its' happiness at eating oats right by my feet. Anyway, I threw some oats on a nearby log and up it hopped, so this is the result … with a 50mm lens! Very happy to have something to post here at last. :)
7D; EF 50mm f1.8 @ f5.6; 1/1000; ISO400

[sandy richards]

Hilary, really nice catch!
Interesting pose, beautiful colors, and nice eye.
I'd perfer a tad more room on the bottom, if you have it available.
A bit of fill flash would have helped too - but very nice as is.

[Morkel Erasmus]

nice shot Hilary! a bit tight at the bottom but lovely colours and direct eye contact here...50mm! :eek:

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Sandy and Morkel, no extra room on this one but I have some other poses with more space but not showing the lovely bronzing. I tried some fill flash but didn't like the pose as much. I may post a different one later.

50mm, I know but what can I say? These Aussie birds are friendly!! :D

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Hilary

Yes perhaps a little tight overall in frame, but I think this is one of your best images to date. Great detail, lovely plumage and the detail and colour has been handled extremely well. Good processing too.

Re flash, a little fill-in might have helped, but no real deal for me. Like it. :)

TFS
Steve

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you Steve, funny how our back yard sometimes delivers.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hilary, I love how you got the iridesence showing on the wings, good job on that. A bit tight in the frame, I suppose your best bet would have been to physically back up, especially if this guy stayed put on the perch for a while:). Moving a bit right, too, would have benifitted you with better light angle and thus less harsh shadows. Lovely colours colours throughout, and sharp as posted.

You nicely took advantage of a nice opportunity that was present to you.:cool:

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent image Hilary and great advise above
TFS

[Fabs Forns]

I'm glad you got your feet wet in Avian, hope you will continue :)
Great advise given above, I like how the strong side light brought out the colors in the bird. TFS.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Hilary, we all wish for more lens, and you have too much at 50mm:) Good over the shoulder pose, and the side light has brought out the colours perfectly. An opportunity well used.

[Doug Brown]

Welcome to Avian Hilary! I like the eye contact and the fantastic feather color and detail. It must be nice to be tight in the frame at 50mm! Agree with the good advice above.

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you everyone for looking at my image and helping with suggestions. All gratefully received. I'll have to work hard to get other images to post in avian. :)

[Steve Canuel]

Well worth the wait. Excellent detail and color. I really like the shimmer off those colorful feathers.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Steve.