The Stitchbird, Notiomystis cincta is a rare and threatened New Zealand honeyeater.
Consequently when I managed a few images at the weekend in deep bush I wanted to optimise my results.
To this end I have cropped, cloned and used spot healing brush to re-assemble the bill area which was blocked by a leaf.
Details: Pentax K10D with Tamron 70-300 @ 120mm.
ISO 1600 1/90 sec @ F5.6.
Multi Segment metering.
Would appreciate any comments on improving the image or reposts.
Thanks: Ian Mc
Hi Ian, Surprised to see 3 bands on the bird! Most often when you have a large crop like this you lose image quality. The head is a bit soft and while the back of the bird is attractive the HA is facing away.
You did a good job restructuring the bill but due to the bright areas and business in the environment it is taking away from your center of interest...
HI Ian - nice record shot of a rare bird - Agree with Daves comments - The HAP may want to bring you in for questioning - HA facing away like this rarely works on a pure photographic level.
The large crop has degraded the IQ - PS work looks good on the beak.
Must be a rare bird - -three leg bands ;)
Thanks Dave
Although image was taken in Jpeg it was changed to tiff from the start and edits were done in tiff.
I thought later it was a bit overblown white so have reduced saturation in this latest edit.
Cheers: Ian Mc
Hi Ian The last one has lots more detail around the eye area ... any different compensation, might be just shooting in an auto mode and more light was allowed !! Don't see many with four bands !!!
Thanks Alfred and Mark
Al : It's a bit of a strange story !
Was walking along a bush track all alone after not seeing anyone for ages when Stitchbird was spotted directly across from me. So got off a couple of pix.
Then I heard sound of a motor and It was a park staff in a special park vehicle.
He stopped before he reached me and was friendly but Stitchbird took off behind him so waved park vehicle through and moved back down the track to get this one more detailed image with different light falling on it !!
Good luck Mark for your next trip across the ditch.
This was taken @ Karori Wildlife Sanctuary ( now Zealandia) in Wellington.
Recent release of lots of Red Crowned Parakeets but didn't see any. Just Stitchbird, Saddleback ,North Island Robin, Kaka, Tui, Whitehead And New Zealand Pigeon & Fantail. They are expecting Takahe release later in the year.
Saddleback pix were a bit blah and again missed out on a decent pix of Whiteheads although there was a bunch of them!!!
Flit around too much among the greenery.
Cheers: Ian Mc
Stitchbird & leaf.
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