I hesitated to post this after seeing Daniel's great image and his comments, but this is a decidedly rare species farther east in NS, and for me, at least, the species is definitely not boring - so I'll post it anyway. This was perched on a clothes line and has taken over a Tree swallow nest box in a back yard here in the Annapolis Valley.
Don't hesitate - I think we are all friends here ;)
Beautiful bird! Nice clean background. Just curious - is this cropped? I think a fill flash would have really helped you here because the light appears to be coming from behind and to the left. Your exposure/processing is good though - the eye is clearly visible and not too dark, despite the difficult lighting.
The bird is really nice and well exposed I think.
Obviously, it would have been nicer on a natural perch, but if they are a rare species in your area, you take what you can get.
Well done.
Glad you posted this image Richard, agree with above comment on flash but would try lighten the eye area slightly in photoshop. I also think that the head could do with another round of sharpening. Well done on getting this image TFS
Very nice looking species but has a lot of things not working in its favor. The light angle, eye is too dark and the perch is not ideal. Very nice mottled BG
For a rarity in your parts you did very well to document it. Artistically I agree the perch is not ideal and fill-flash would have helped. Going for a vertical comp was the logical choice here...good call.
Did you get to hear its' very distinctive "wheeeeep" call?