Henslow's Sparrow (Early Light)

[Danny J Brown]

I photographed this Henslow's Sparrow, a new species for me, on the prairie at a conservation area near my house yesterday. We are converting some of the hayfields on our farm to prairies so someday I hope to have little fellas like this out my back door. Thanks to John Chardine for quickly verifying my ID on this one; he provides a great service over there in Avian ID, Behavior and Nomenclature.

Canon 40D; Canon 500/4 + 1.4TC; 1/250; f/5.6; ISO 200; Gitzo GT3530LS (Careful Roman!) w/Wimberley II.

I didn't cybersanitize the bill on the little critter so as not to create the illusion that birds have table manners.;) The two streaks in the bokeh are either big bluestem or indian grass. It's everywhere out there.

DB

[Dan Brown]

Great shot of a great bird Danny! It's even better in avian! I love those claws! The oof grass blade at the tail is a bit distracting and could be evicted. Good bird!

[James Salywoda]

Great shot Danny nice bird you captured excellent detail and bg if it was mine I'd smooth out the OOF reeds a bit
Well Done!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the sharpness, light and eye contact and would tone down the bright perch.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely colours and sharp detail, Dan. I don't mind the reed on the left but the one exiting the birds head could do with some PS work, as could the little dark one heading up to the tail.

[Ofer Levy]

Excellent light, sharpness and detail. A bit big in the frame for my taste but still a lovely image.

[Danny J Brown]

Excellent light, sharpness and detail. A bit big in the frame for my taste but still a lovely image.

Yes, I agree that the shot is too tight here. I noticed the problem right after I posted it. Thanks!

DB

[John Chardine]

Agree with the comments above Danny. The light is outstanding as is the background to frame the subject. I would like to see a slight head turn towards you for added interest.

I sure hope the ID is correct- we will know soon as there are folks out there that will jump on it like a flee to a hedgehog if we are wrong!

[Hendri Venter]

Tack sharp detail and a great pose. Cracking image Danny.

[Dan Busby]

Great shot Danny. What a nice bird to have in your back yard! I really like the warm lighting, sharp detail and natural perch and setting. I had seen your post in the ID section (John Chardine had asked me to have a look for the ID) and I thought the HA of that post was better. There is always the question of how far to go when removing competing habitat details and where to stop. I like your choice to leave them there.

[Fabs Forns]

Beautiful light as noted, I'd also clean up the reeds a bit or at least tone them down. HA police would give you a ticket ;)
Great to have the opportunity close by!

[Danny J Brown]

Beautiful light as noted, I'd also clean up the reeds a bit or at least tone them down. HA police would give you a ticket ;)
Great to have the opportunity close by!

That last sentence was pretty funny, Fabs! I hadn't heard that one yet...wish I would have thought of it. I have many more of this little fella with a decent HA and now I'm beginning to wonder if I just posted that one to be annoying.:) As Ofer said, the image is too big in the frame and I really agree with that.......yikes! Take care!

DB

[Danny J Brown]

Great shot Danny. What a nice bird to have in your back yard! I really like the warm lighting, sharp detail and natural perch and setting. I had seen your post in the ID section (John Chardine had asked me to have a look for the ID) and I thought the HA of that post was better. There is always the question of how far to go when removing competing habitat details and where to stop. I like your choice to leave them there.

Thanks, Dan.......and double thanks for that last sentence!:)

[Matthew Studebaker]

another beautiful shot of this species in beautiful light. I don't mind the "habitat". I only wish for a slight head turn here.