Dunnock (Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Accentor)- Prunella modularis

[Michael Hogan]

I have always liked these shy birds. Normally called Hedge Sparrows but are no relation to our normal House Sparrow. They are related to the Accentors. In Irish they have several names, one being Bráthair an Dreoilín which means the Wren's Brother.

This was taken in my back graden in Feb '09 when we got our yearly bit of snow - 2 cms. Only postprocessing is Crop (50%) sharping and some levels adjustment.

40D, 500mm, ISO 100, 1/125 @ f4.5, Esposure Bias +1/3, AP and pattern metering.

Let me know what you think

[Dave Mills]

Hi Michael,Good lighting and the head appears sharp. I like the fact you managed to get detail in some of the snow. The foreground snow has none due to it being blurred. I might crop the bottom up to the middle of your name to reduce some of that area. For my taste I would also crop the top about half way down to the bird.
The plant doesn't bother me on the left but I might take out a few brighter areas around the birds tail and the upper rt. and lower rt corner

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Michael

Excellent and lots of feel Could go with Dave's suggested crop or just leave as is, all depends to the intended feel !!! Like the overall fine detail and pose with the little head turn .. in this case makes all the difference !! Big Congrats on this one !!!

[Michael Hogan]

Thanks Al and Dave. Was not sure what to do with the crop. I'll have a go with what you suggest and see what it looks like.

Michael

[Lance Peters]

Hi Michael - sweet - bird is as sharp as a tack - good HA and eye contact - Love the snow.
Agree with the crop suggestions - will make it a stronger image.
Looking forward to seeing more :)

[Arthur Morris]

This is a very fine image. You did a great job either with the EXP or the processing. Sharpness and head angle are perfect. Love the framing, the COMP, and the vegetation in front of the bird. A crop from the bottom to reduce the amount of snow would be in order. Then you could move your signature to the lower right corner. Though you may be eager to learn this one is way worthy of being in Avian :)