Waxwing on the Wing

<< Previous Next >>
Waxwing on the Wing
Photo Information
Copyright: Ivan Kruys (Argus) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-02-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Canon EF 300 f4L + Canon 1.4 converter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/2000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-18 9:18
Viewed: 570
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Sunshine, though hazy, gives opportunities not to be lost at this time of the year in Sweden, so today we drove to one of our favourite places about 20 south of our home.

We noticed a solitary bird on a tree top that with the aid of binocculars, turned out to be a Waxwing. The tree top nearby also had one. In fact nearly all the neighbouring trees had their respective single waxwing in the top. Strange behaviour for a bird that normally sits in tight flocks in one tree. Each individual would fly up and round, a bit like a bee-eater to land again.

As they were too high up to take decent shot I tried in-flight shots and this is one of the best of several attempts.

Waxwings nest in the far north of Europe and America and overwinter further south to feed mainly on fruit and berries. Usually they are not that rare and can sometimes appear in flocks of up to a hundred in the autumn and early winter.

OTHER PHOTOGRPHIC DETAILS:
ISO 200
Cropped by about 60%
Estimated distance to subject: 8 meters.
Sharpened
Treated for noise using Neat Image.

Though this shot is not perfectly sharp it is good enought to see the red tips of 'wax' on the wings.
undoredo, falke, jmp, jaycee, ramthakur, jeanpaul, glazzaro, cedryk has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Ivan,
Wow, you captured very nice moment of the fantastic pose.
I think the sharpness is also great. :-)
Excellent pose, clean BG, nice POV, your note is also great!!
Regards and TFS,
Kevin

  • Great 
  • falke Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 167 W: 17 N: 440] (1580)
  • [2007-02-18 10:19]

Wow, this is a absolutely gorgeous photo of the waxwing. Funny that we both decided to post photos of the waxwing today.

I really like the light trough the tail and wings (I have only seen this so clearly on the Fairy terns on the island of Praslin on the Seychelles, were you can see the bones in the wings).

Fantastic pose and composition! I take my hat of for you, Ivan!

Regards/Bengt

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1898 W: 94 N: 2375] (8394)
  • [2007-02-18 10:30]

Hi Ivan,
This Waxwing flying solve the doudt I have when watching Howard's capture. The red tip in the wing border are a characteristic of this bird! Very nice pose and sharpness for such a conditions!
TFS, José M.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2007-02-18 11:12]

Hi Ivan,

There have been lots of waxwings posted recently but none in flight. I especially like seeing the tips of the tail.

TFS

Jane

When I say that this is the most shapely and symmetrical image of a bird captured in flight I have ever seen, I make no exaggeration, Ivan.
Maybe a bit of those needle points of noise here and there, but rather immaterial in view of the overall appeal of this great image.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2007-02-18 13:32]

Hi Ivan,
A great shot. What a pose you have captured !! Very special. The colours are superb as are the details of the bird. Simply love it. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Bonjour Ivan
Excellente composition avec ce jaseur d,amérique en plein vol, encore une fois les couleurs et les details sont parfait
Bravo et meci...Jean-Paul

Hej Ivan,
a very nice inflight shot, this was not easy.
Good details, nice POV and great pose.
En mycket lyckat bild.

Gert

Nice flight shot, well taken.

Greg

Hi Ivan,
Excellent tele shot.....
Greatly capturing this flying bird.
Sharp and nice details.

Ben Lakitan

bonjour IVAN
belle capture de cet oiseau en vol
un peu de flou et de bruit je trouve mais cela parait etre normal vu la hauteur et je te félicite car je ne sais pas en faire autant
amitiès et encore merci
edith

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2447 W: 207 N: 2035] (8113)
  • [2007-02-19 8:33]

Hi Ivan,
lovely inflight shot. POV and the wing position of the bird are wonderful. I like the format you choose to show of this bird.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 745 W: 107 N: 1694] (5302)
  • [2007-02-19 20:41]

Great action capture, Ivan!
I love the pose, the colours and the details: an excellent capture under difficult conditions
TFS
silke

  • Great 
  • cedryk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 956 W: 57 N: 1603] (4945)
  • [2007-03-01 17:12]

Hello Ivan,
I appreciate this image a lot for the excellent composition and capture. Of course the focus is a bit soft and some remnants of noise are still visible but the compo rewards it all.
Best greetings!!!
Michal

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF