March Theme You looking at me?

[Craig Wallace]

Taken a few days after Christmas at Ridgefield NWR. Wa. Been a year or so since I found one so close. D2xs 80-400vr at 370mm, iso 320, f/6.3, 1/160 sec, matrix metering, wb cloudy, bean bag in truck window. vertical crop from horizonal. Processed ACR, cs4. Cloned out long leaf on right side of face and body. Comments and suggestions appreciated. Thanks for looking.
Happy New Year! Craig.

[Grady Weed]

These things are usually found in very dense cover, as seen here. Catching one is real privilege. I like the dead on stare.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Pretty hard to photograph in such busy cover. Going full-wide or near-wide open is pretty much a given to reduce the BG distractions but still difficult to get something 100% pleasing. These guys are not the easiest to get close so you take what you can get. Comp-wise I wouldn't mind seeing the subject a bit more to the right of the frame with the full body width included. I also find the sturation a bit strong - reducing it by 15-20points should yield a more natural tone to the yellows (for cloudy conditions).

I too like the dead-on stare...perfect for the theme!!