Here's another image of this cooperative beautiful little fellow that allowed plenty of opportunities about a month ago. It was cold and windy that afternoon, but I like the wind-blown feathers this created.
I agree with Gary's comment re the 310 mm. Did you use calls to attract the bird? Besides pose & sharpness I like the overall gray tone of the image with the bird providing the only strong colors. The perch is a bit overbearing perhaps but great image. Congrats! JR
No calls on this guy. This individual, as well as a Horned Lark it was associating with, drew plenty of attraction from photographers as it was pretty much oblivious to our presence...often allowing ridiculously close approach. See here.:cool:
I never get tired of looking at the subtle colors of birds that have been captured in a well-executed photograph. Not too much contrast, not too flat, not to saturated......just right, as a person sees the bird in the wild. You are right about the wind; I often go out searching for birds on windy days just to get the blowing feather shots. I took a similar picture as this but of a hermit thrush standing at the edge of a bluff over the Meramec River. Your shot reminded me of that day. I can remember every shot I ever took, I think, and I bet you are the same way. I love the head turn toward the photographer in this case as well and the eye is exposed quite nicely. Nice photograph, my friend.
Danny's strong response covers what I wanted to say. Good insight on seeing a bird in a photo "as a person sees the bird in the wild." I also like Joerg's point that the colors of the longspur are the only ones that stand out in the otherwise gray image. Another good closeup, Daniel!