Some more small birds

[Maestro]

A few shots from the yard and pasture next door.

Lark Sparrow. The head is a bit bright but this shot appeals to me.


While birding the pasture by me, I saw a brownish flash speed right in front of me low. I actually crawled under some dead brush to a pile of recently cut down brush trees and I was able to snap a few pics of, what I think, is a male Carolina Wren, as opposed to the Bewick's Wrens that I usually see. I am correct, right?


Finally, this image is from parents' backyard, still in Midlothian though. While trying to fix my dad's computer, I noticed some bluebirds that were very active outside. I was hoping one would perch in a tree, but no, I had to settle for the fence. ;)

[ConsAreLiars]

1. You are doing the almost impossible with your recent shots.

You are showing the birds in the context of their habitat, one that usually makes getting even a clear image of the bird impossible, and then going beyond that challenge to use that normally distracting stuff as compositional elements that, instead of distracting, frame the bird as the focal point in an aesthetically pleasing overall image. Maestro indeed.

[Maestro]

3. Thanks so much ConsAreLiars

It is somewhat of a "controversy" within the avian photography community. It seems that the photos that get the most attention are the frame fillers where the bird fills the the whole image. There is great detail in those images and frankly I love them. However, I also appreciate the shots where habitat is included. The latter is where I fall in photography since I do not have ready access to the photo blinds and set-ups. I try to focus on composition and color presentation.

Thank you so much for the comments. They are much appreciated.

[JeffR]

2. The final shot is really a keeper.

Having to settle for the fence only helped make this so special, because that triangle of color relates to the more vivid color of the bird's breast. Bokeh's perfect to draw the eye back again and again to his head, and his gaze echoes the diagonal of the fence. And the flashes of blue are just rich against the rest of the colors. Photography just doesn't get much better than this to me, a quiet little everyday miracle revealed to a very perceptive eye and shared through a good camera.

And I have to echo what ConsAreLiars said about how well you convey context in your great bird photos. That reminded me of a recent PBS(?) TV doc about Audubon.

Thanks for posting these. I have two consecutive days off for the first time in over 3 weeks, and I was tired and sort of vaguely pissed off about nothing and everything, so it was refreshing to the spirit to check out the Photo Group tonight and see these.

[Maestro]

4. Thank you Jeff.

I was, in fact, pleased with the way the fence shot turned out. The stain of the fence compliments the rufous color of the chest plumage on this bluebird. I also was pleased with the composition in this shot although at the time I was lamenting not getting the bird on a natural perch. The bokeh also turned out well and not distracting.

I am glad that you enjoyed the photos and in some small way they were able to lift your spirits a bit. They do for me. I am not sure what is more exhilarating, taking the pictures or viewing them later. :)