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Am I Blue ?


Am I Blue ?
Photo Information
Copyright: Lesley Mattuchio (Lesley) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 13 N: 913] (2988)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EF100-400 IS
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/100 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Blue Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-12-11 14:36
Viewed: 1388
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is an Eastern Bluebird and is one of my many favorites. They can be found looking for food at the edge of meadow and will nest in nesting boxes located in the meadows when supplied. Most will migrate from the north to the south for the winter months as was the case of this one I took the photo of. There was a flock of Bluebirds hanging out just on the edge of the golf course that borders my family's home in Florida. The Eastern Bluebird is easy to ID from the Mountain Bluebird who is all blue. The Eastern has a distinct rust colored upper breast with white coloring the rest of the breast. Males and females are similarly marked with the male being the brilliant one and female a paler version. They eat insects and larva. There are small flocks here and there in New England that will overwinter here. There is one such flock at the Audubon sanctuary I frequent and it is a sight for sore eyes to see beautiful Bluebirds in the middle of February when it is cold with snow on the ground. Sort of like being in a Disney movie. :0)

This particular image gave me exposure problems because the Bluebirds might be beautiful, but they can be quite shy and uncooperative for the photographer. I used a fill flash but it was still not the ideal sitution with harsh light shining down on the front of this fella. Sometimes ya just have to take what ya get and hope for better that next time.
bikernjeeks, miqra, Luc, IdoTT, Fisher, milloup, marhowie, papkin, gerhardt, deud, slrnovice2 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

I think it's a very beautiful shot of this beautiful bird, don't be so hard on yourself. You managed to capture the bird very nicely - pretty colours and nice sharp details. Well done!

  • Great 
  • miqra Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 140 W: 3 N: 23] (151)
  • [2004-12-11 14:56]

This is poster quality and don't let anyone tell you elsewize....one of the best shots of birds I have ever seen...the color is phenominal...excellent!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2004-12-11 15:59]

It is a lovely bird. On my wishing list, Lesley. I saw one one time in the Eastern Townships here in Quebec, but I dont had a camera.
A great post: picture and note. Congratulations.
Thanks

Excellent Shot !
Very nice composition with the blue in background.

Oh man, what a beauty, my next goal to capture. You have a very fine moment Lesley, well done.
Lesley, the artist is his/her own worst critic. This is what outdoor photography is all about, chalenges, overcoming them, and learning.
You know something else, a little photoshop that almost all of us use, help enhance our images. :) :) :)

Mike

Beautiful little chap here, even with the pretty harsh light on his face. The fill flash worked wonders on his tail end, the blues are just gorgeous.

Lesley, As I've stated with some of my other critiques I mostly refrain from the technical aspects of critiquing the use & results of telephoto shots since I've just begun to try & use one. So I will just tell you that my eye likes the color, detail & light-play I see here.. Your notes are excellent. Very good job!

Great shot Lesley.
Good light , details and colours.
Very good note.
Great work.

Except of the BG that's too bright, that's a great shot, very nice colors.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-12 9:39]

I think you did very well with the exposure. We are not shooting in studios where we are in control but outside we are in nature's hands, begging.

Excellent sharpnes and just the right amount of DOF makes this a winner.

Very well done and thanks for posting.

Beautiful composition, colors end lighting.

Fantastic sharp, what a nice littl bird, Lesley, nice blue colour.
Good shot against the blurry background !

Beautifull, Blue bird. I don't get to see them in real life as well. :(

The exposure is surely not over. Well done.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 498 W: 2 N: 464] (2157)
  • [2004-12-17 10:54]

beautiful little bird. excellent technical result

Beautiful photo Lesley of a beautiful subject. What is the blue behind the bird? It really complements the bird's colouring. Technically, your image is spot-on I think. The flash brings out the colour in the feathers, the bird (and the interesting lichen-covered branch it is perched on) is sharp and the background is nicely out of focus. Fantastic shot. Great notes too. As the bird is so shy did you have to use a hide?

Hello Lesley,
Very good catch of light in a perfect setting. The use of a flash reveals the real beauty of the bue feathers. Great job!

Thomas

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