New Zealand Fantail

[Michael Sowden]

Captured during a recent short trip to NZ. This little fellow was quite compliant and allowed me to spend quite awhile with it as it flittered around a low tree.

Pentax *istDS, 50-500mm @ 500mm, 1/200th @ f6.7, iso 200

[Ian McHenry]

Nice job Michael. These little guys are hard to catch at rest.
Was this a Sigma Bigma handheld?
Ian Mc

[Michael Sowden]

Thanks Ian, Yes the Bigma was handheld.
I am originaly from up the Rangitata gorge but i went to uni in ChCh. Was good to be home for a while

[John Cooper]

A nice composition Michael of this attractive Fantail. You did well to isolate it against a soft BG (Usually found in fairly busy habitats). Pity there is not more separation of the bill from dark plumage but nice image as is!!

[Arthur Morris]

Sweet bird, tail fan, and COMP. Did you use flash? Yes or no, the eye needs some work...Then you need to selectively sharpen the face. later and love, artie

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Nits have been covered but I loved the fanned tail you captured here and the perch. Very attractive and pleasing image. Thanks for sharing.

[Peregrine Craig Nash]

I love these birds my Aunt has a Fantail that comes and sits on a Chandelier in her kitchen most mornings in Nelson.

[Glenn Bartley]

Cool pose. I see where he gets his name from. It does have a rally flashy feel to it.

[Michael Sowden]

Sweet bird, tail fan, and COMP. Did you use flash? Yes or no, the eye needs some work...Then you need to selectively sharpen the face. later and love, artie

Arthur, I remember having the flash attached but the file info does not tell me if it fired or not, this image was part of a burst.

My photoshop skills are still developing:) so i will try the suggestions you mentioned.