Chestnut-backed Chickadee

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

The local variant, Central California Coast...



D3 300f/2.8 + TC20EIII (600mm) f/8 1/640 ISO3200 HH (resting on back of chair)
NR, sharpening on large crop
Was waiting near backyard feeder, BG is painted fence

These birds only hold still for very short bits... I'm happy to have gotten this one.

I'm wondering about the bg color... if it's too odd.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Doug West]

I love the background color. The color compliments the bird perfectly.
Thumbs up for taking notice of the background and using it to your advantage.
To many times we just 'see' the bird and miss the little things that can add life
to an image.

Doug

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Michael, looks really good for ISO 3200! The color of the bg is a little odd, but that doesn't bother my eye as much as the twigs. For a species as interesting as this I would take the time to evict all the branches, starting with the one behind the head. It is definitely doable and would make this image really nice, not that it isn't already. I like the exposure and color balance a lot. The reduction in pixels has affected the image quality a bit, so maybe a touch more sharpening would be in order. Good catch!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Michael,

I posted a Chickadee while back and noticed they are not many around thanks for the picture. You are so right, they never stay in one place for long and are so small that it is challenging to get a sharp quality image. I might prune a few branches especially in front. The Nikon kits are amazing with the high ISO not sure if you have hear of Jay Masiel, one of the best photographers around. I spent two weeks with him in a NY workshop, he loves Nikon and uses high ISO to get sharp images.

Back to the picture, nice detail for HHing. Have you read Alan Murphys book, he talks about great ideals for backyard setups.

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Doug, Kerry, Jeff,

Thanks much for your responses. They are much appreciated. I'll get out my pruning shears (PS)...

I've been considering the backyard set up... Sigh... the bg is problematic (maybe throw a canvas over the fence & paint a nice bg ).

It's hard to imagine but an equivalent shot with a new D4 could be taken at ISO6400 (perhaps, even higher) with more pixels on the crop to boot! On my future purchase list ...

Cheers,

-Michael-

[nancy hazen]

Michael, I like this Chickadee very much. The colors are beautiful. The background doesn't bother me either. I agree with the others about the twigs, especially around the tail. I had to smile at your comment about covering the backyard fence. I've done that too.