Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) Matcham Valley NSW

[Rod Warnock]

Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) Matcham Valley NSW
Canon EOS 40D Lens 100-400mm L IS USM at 160mm ISO 500 F 5.0 1/1600 580EXII Flash 1 September 2010
Pied Currawongs are assertive birds with a presence that demands attention. On this occasion there were numbers of them and they assume various poses. My main problem was a dull day and rain forest as background, a challenging task given a mostly black bird with a dark background. The sheen on the plumage was attractive and helped greatly. Comments please?
Best regards
Rod Warnock

[Bill Holsten]

Rod, I like it a lot. I can't remember ever photographing a black bird against a nearly black BKGR. The flash really opens up the bird and the perch. That lemon yellow eye shines like a beacon in the mostly very dark image. I see a lot of detail (as well as noise) in the birds plumage, but the noise is expected and tolerable. If it were mine, I would remove more noise from the BKGR. Well done!

[Tony Whitehead]

I think you've done well in difficult conditions here, Rod. Flash was essential and you've done it well. Typical inquisitive Currawong pose and the eye makes a great focal point. Darkening down the sheen on the beak may be an option to explore.

[Jim Neiger]

Very well done, Rod. The black bird actualy pops off of the very dark bg. Excellant use of flash here. Nice pose, perch and bird too. I like the composition as well.