Todays Birds

[NikonUser]

Hi there,

Went up to the You Yangs today. The weather was VEEEERY WIIIIINDY and FREEEEZING COOOOLD. I don't think the birds like this sort of weather as it took us two hours to even see our first bird...

Here is a flame Robin
I'd like to know which version you like better and why:



A Portrait of a White Faced Heron:


A Superb Blue Wren:
I couldn't get close enough unfortunately so this is a 5MP crop. Any ideas on how to open up the detail around the eye?


And finally... A portrait of a Crested Pigeon


Comments and Critiques Encouraged

Paul

[Colcam]

Oh Boy! How do you choose?
Okay, out of No. 1 & 2 I actually like the 1st one except for the unfortunate windblow in the breast feathers as the old "eye contact" bit always wins over a profile. Great depth of field. I might have clipped out the red grass at left and subdued the saturation in the grass at right though.
The Heron is spot-on for my money. Great portrait with good colour and DOF again

Blue Wren is a fabulous "grab ya'" shot with real impact colour, although the green does look a tad too saturated for my taste(or on my monitor)

The pidgeon doesn't grab me as much. I like it with a bit off the top, but I wonder if it is getting too cramped then.

Nice composition right across the board.
Col

[BT*ist]

Of the Flame Robins, I like the first - the "puffy shirt" front is cute and different.

I also like the Crested Pigeon shot: the colour on the tip of the wings and the slightly coy look over the shoulder

[blacknstormy]

Hi Paul - brave man with weather conditions like that
The second robin shot is I spose more 'correct', but I like the first shot as it gives some insite into the conditions behind the shot - bit of a breeze that looks bloody cold

I really don't like the crested pigeon shot primarily due to the fact that it looks like it is either slightly unwell, or in the process of a moult (missing feathers around the eye).

The heron shot is a corker (so sharp!), and I like the fairy wren shot. Did you try a little dodging around the eye to bring out the hidden detail?

Rel

[NikonUser]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I also like the pose of the first Robin better. I had quite a few ruffled feather shots today. At some stages when we were in the higher parts of the You Yangs I was having trouble standing up... dunno how the little birdies coped!!

Poor crested pigeon. Hope it's only moulting... He scared the crap out of me when he landed.

Dodging around the eye of the Wren seems to bring out more noise than detail.

Paul

[greencardigan]

Paul, great shots as usual.

The first Robin shot looks the better of the two IMO. It's looking towards you which I think makes all the difference.

The Blue Wren is superb but there's something about it that doesnt seem quite right. I think it's the green and blue that don't quite go together.

The Crested Pigeon is great too.

[avkomp]

good stuff paul.

like the first robin.

the fairy wren looks over saturated to me though

Steve

[NikonUser]

Here's a less saturated version:

[Colcam]

Here's a less saturated version:

Definitely more realistic. It may lack the visual punch of the first version, but it looks great still. On my monitor at least it still looks like a bit a touch with levels/curves on the bird alone would be good. looks the tiniest bit flat in contrast.

Funny thing though, every time I jump down on the grass to try to take a photo of a tiny bird, they fly away! Do you think my technique is wrong?

Nice. Thanks
Col