Stonechat (male)

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 7D Canon 500mm f4 L IS &1.4TC 1 ISO 400 +0.3 1/80 sec f7.1
I was hoping to get Short Eared Owls this morning but no luck, I did manage to salvage a little from the cold morning however.
All C & C welcome.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jon, you are lucky that you can go out shooting before work. We have a lot of these guys in the nature reserve close by, so I like these guys lots. He looks cold all puffed up, and I really like the light and colors in this. Although framed between the two bull rushes, I would remove the top one. Then I would come in a little from the right. Just throwing a few ideas about. Cheers.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hi Stu - thanks for the suggestions I will take another look at this, (the original has three bullrushes but the third is a good bit further off to the left.)

[Doug Brown]

Nice light and good subject sharpness. I would like to see the bird's head a little brighter.

[Dave Leroy]

It is a lovely morning work. Really beautiful colors and habitat. Looks great. I also would lighten the head a bit. I like the composition as is but Stu's idea offers another option. Very well done.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Love the light and comp. Might lighten up the head just a bit.

[adrian dancy]

A very pleasing image. Nice exposure and lovely colours and composition. I sit on the fence regarding lightening up the head. My fear is that it would not appear 'natural'....this is pretty much as the bird appears.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice, I'd go for a tighter crop eliminating the right bull rush and also lighten the head are a bit

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks very much for all the C & C, as ever much appreciated. I had already lightened the head and eye and as Adrian pointed out to lighten it further would have made it look a little unnatural.

[gail bisson]

Beautiful light and BG. Very nice environmental feel to the image. I too, vote for lightening the head a bit more,
Gail

[Jonathan Ashton]

I have had another attempt at this little chap but the head really is dark:

[Dave Leroy]

I really liked the original. If mine I might borrow a bit of grey from the top of the head or back and gently brush it around the face especially in front of the eye. Not much but a bit so some detail or lightening is visible. For me the photo is about a small bird in habitat and lovely colors.