Red-breasted Sapsucker

[Dave Leroy]

This particular tree the sapsucker was working was in the middle of a picnic area and surrounded by picnic tables. It was hard to get a more "natural" looking bg so i stuck with this documentary type of bg.

7D, 500mm, 1/125, f5.6, IS800, ff,

Dave

[Randy Stout]

Dave:

Sharp, well exposed,like the feather detail on breast, good head angle, just a bit towards us.

Overall proportions of comp good, although if you have the room, would add a sliver more trunk and a bit more to the right. (Artie --1/3--1/3--1/3)

I think the slight gradient in the BG works well and the color plays well with the bird.

Interesting lighting. Any fill or help?

Cheers

Randy

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Dave, liked the BG. It is letting the color of the bird have full impact. Terrific bird angle and sharpness at that SS. Nice ligthing too. well done.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Excellent details and lighting. Nice to see the sap (?) running on the tree trunk. Would probably add more of the trunk (unless it is oof enough to be distracting). Well done!

[Giulio Zanni]

Beautiful well captured bird. I would just clone out some of the bright reflection spots on the wet part of the tree. Giulio

[Katie Rupp]

Agreed, great bg for this bird, wonderful details and the red color is perfect.

[Herb Houghton]

Nice comp on this sapsucker Dave. The red really pops compared to the subtle midtones in the BGD and tree.

[Dave Leroy]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. They are much appreciated.
I could have gone closer to full frame for more room left and right, but the sort of "clinical" although complimentary bg seemed to call for a more clinical crop. Perhaps i am a bit tight on tree.

I do like the idea of taking out the highlights in the sap.

Randy I did use fill flash (ff) but can't seem to find the settings in the shooting data. ??

I am almost always using a tripod and so do not say so, perhaps i need to.

Tks again, Dave