Getting Settled

© Stephen Shoff

Getting Settled

Uploaded: October 09, 2013

Description

f/8, 1/1250 sec., ISO 400; EF 300mm f/4l IS USM 1.4x

Cedar Waxwings

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.67, ExposureTime: 1/1250 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 420.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Stephen Shoff October 09, 2013

This was a flock of Cedar Waxwings getting settled. They spend a lot of time watching me watching them. I hadn't seen these before, but apparently they are native, not just birds migrating through.

Bird season in my back yard seems to be getting an early start. You may get pretty tired of birds from me by the time this is over. Hopefully I'll get more behavior rather than portraits.

Shooting note: I did scale back to my FF 5DMII from the 50D so that I could try to track birds in flight at some cost in frame filling images with maximum resolution and size potential. #1547806

Stephen Shoff October 09, 2013

Here is the portrait #10867268

Michael Kelly level-deluxe October 10, 2013

Stephen I like them both but in this case I prefer the detail and color of the portrait shot. Both suffer a bit from the lighting which is pretty harsh. I would suggest lowering the contrast and giving them some shadows and highlights adjustment in RAW and then adding some clarity. This will take the edge of the direct sun lighting a little. These are nice looking birds which we don’t seem to get on my side of the mountain. #10867672

Jeff E Jensen October 10, 2013

Don't you worry, Stephen. I won't be getting tired of your bird images any time soon. #10867769

Rita K. Connell level-classic October 10, 2013

First I want to say I will never get tired of bird shots either.

I love all the color in the portrait one. with his head turned a very nice profile of him. great job.

Getting settled is an awesome shot to capture three different birds all doing something different and have the clarity I am standing and applauding. I think its worth working on I would clone out the 4th bird behind the lower bird out. I think having the blue behind him will make him stand out more. great shot Stephen. I know how hard it is to get a shot like this. #10867872

Dale Hardin October 10, 2013

I'll have to leave the bird shots up to you Stephen. Never can find anything down here and I don't have the patience.

Agree with Rita on the clone and would attempt to minimize the importance of the background in the portrait shot. #10868048

Elaine Hessler October 10, 2013

Stephen I will NEVER get tired of bird shots-especially when they are this crisp and sharp! These are beautiful, so keep them coming. Cedar waxwings are amazing looking birds. We have them here too.

I prefer the portrait, but both are very nice. For me, the berries in the top left corner are drawing my eye away from the birds. It is still a great shot, though.

If you love birds, think about visiting Cleveland in May-we have people come from all over the world to see the warblers migrate in Magee Marsh. You can get close to them too-6-10 ft away. They have about 30 different species migrating through this area. The birds stop here for a break before they fly over the lake and to Canada for the summer.

#10868059

Rita K. Connell level-classic October 11, 2013

looks like a visit I need to put on my calender for may, Elaine #10868492

Stephen Shoff October 11, 2013

Thank you for the heads-up, Elaine. My family ties are moving from England to Missouri, so I may start getting to the Midwest more often.

Next Phello's meetup in Cincinatti in May? Migrating birds...urban...undboubtedly some historic, waterfront and scenic opportunities?

However, I'm not really a bird person. I take them because when I spent huge amounts of money on a camera several years ago, I decided that I should make sure I used it year round. Since Sacramento in is a major migration flyway, I bought a good, long lens to use during winter months when I wouldn't be out doing landscapes. Then when the trees in my backyard matured and birds started flocking to them in the Fall and Spring, I had a natural bird blind through my kitchen window (sans the window and window screen). I am having fun with it though.

Thanks for the suggestions on managing harsh lighting conditions, Mike. Will try to apply your suggestions. I'll look into the cloning suggestions as well.

However, vaction in the Eastern Sierra starts tomorrow, so I'll be pulling this image down from the club gallery and it will be awhile before I work these images. #10868721

Beth Spencer October 12, 2013

Have a Great Vacation! These are great pictures!! I know we have some of these birds around here but have never been able to find them.....
Congratulations on your family moving closer!
#10869329

Peter W. Marks October 12, 2013

Beautiful! But I'm another impatient old fart who never settles down long enough to make decent bird shots. I understand what has been said about removing the bird in the background but for me it reinforces the sense of everyone jostling for position on the branch. #10869960

Dale Hardin October 12, 2013

what do you mean "another" old fart? :o) #10869990

Elaine Hessler October 13, 2013

Have a great vacation! Rita-I'd love for you (and anyone else) to make a trip up here in May for the warblers or any other time! Just let me know! #10871014

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