Lessor Goldfinch on our Arizona Ash

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks;

With the wind blowing the leaves off our tree they float down like their snowing. Also reveals the birds as well.

All comments, advice & redos welcome and appreciated.

Gus

Olympus E-3, Zuiko ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD, @ 400 mm equiv.
AP: F/6.3, 1/800s, ISO 100, -1.30eV, CWA, sRGB, AWB

[Dave Leroy]

Good looking bird Gus.
I really like the pose and full tail fan.

I also like that you have included the tree on the left. It looks nicely anchored on that side.

I might take a bit off the top and add to the right if there is more photo on that side. and perhaps a bit more sharpening.

Gus. You just losing your leaves? You need to move North again. Lots of snow on North shore mountains this morning. Sunny day though.

Dave

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Dave;

Bit off the top, added to the right and i light pass of sharpening.

Had a cold snap to 30F, today still ice in the bird bath, but beautiful blue sunny skies and 70 high.

Phoenix a lovely city, however, I like living in this hick town, other than the driver's here and a water bed is called the "Dead Sea"

Braved Phoenix to send Gina's sister back to England last week, could feel the energy the moment we hit city limits, and the calories at Cold Mountain ice cream . . . yummmms :)

Take care

Gus

[Dave Leroy]

I like this one Gus. Be interesting to hear what the others have to say.

Dave

[Joel Eade]

Hi Gus,

I agree with Dave, I like the pose and certainly the techs are properly executed but I'm wondering if I might like it more without the big tree?

Joel

[Gus Hallgren]

Removed the tree, cropped the top.

Maybe, even crop the top a bit more?

I like your idea Joel

Gus

[Gus Hallgren]

Another choice, I need the practise. Little bit more off the top? Straightened branch going into bottom?

Looking forward to your comments

Gus

[Julie Kenward]

Gus, that final post really works for me. Another option would be to keep the tree but go vertical instead of horizontal.

I'd definitely try your hand at blending out the OOF branches that are cutting through and next to the bird in the BG. If you can blend those out I think you'll have a real beauty here!

[annmpacheco]

Wow, what a great transition, did you do anything to the BG or is it natural, its beautiful. Wish the tail feathers were more pronounced, color or sharpness.

[Gus Hallgren]

Thanks for looking you nice folks. Ann, the background is natural, mostly branches.

Would like to blend bG with oofs blended as suggested by Jules.

Best regards

Gus