This image may not generate much excitement but I suspect nature photographers might understand why it caught my attention.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, twig poking up into bottom of frame removed, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago it was windy on Antelope Island and this adult Loggerhead Shrike was the only cooperative bird I found. And I wasn’t enthusiastic about this opportunity because moments before I got the shrike in my viewfinder a passing cloud put us in shade and severely dulled the light so I figured the images would end up in the delete bin.
But for technical reasons I was pretty impressed when I looked at my shots on the large screen at home. Unexpectedly (for me) the “less than ideal” light gave me excellent exposure on the blacks, whites and grays of the shrike and I think the plumage detail is surprisingly good considering that the photo was taken at ISO 1000 and the image has been significantly cropped to only 45% of the original (9MP of 20MP).
This photo reinforced for me once again a lesson I continue to “learn” and then forget. It can be difficult to predict how light will play on different subjects in varying conditions so even in poor light I’m often better off to take the shot, evaluate later and cull if I need to rather than not fire my shutter at all (which in this case I seriously considered).
To quote Hall of Fame hockey player Wayne Gretzky “I miss every shot I don’t take”.
Ron
Ron,
Nice and at such a high ISO. You never know. I continue to work on my sharpening skills but they elude me. BTW, That is amazing wisdom for a hockey player!!
Stephen
Excellent! Spectacular! I’d love to have a large print where I’d see it every day. Minimalist art!
Thanks, Mikal. I suppose minimalism in nature photography is a matter of taste and often I like to see more habitat but for me this one does have its charm.
I am very far from a minimalist – but love this image.
The details on the plumage are fascinating. And yes, I too now notice more (much more) than I used to when looking at wildlife photography.
Good. I think becoming a more discriminating viewer increases our appreciation of images that are well captured and how can that not be a good thing? Thanks, EC.
I’ve been well trained to look more closely, too, EC. Ron’s a great teacher.
I am good with minimalist, sometimes a cluttered background takes away from the subject. You even captured catch light on a cloudy moment.
Thanks for noticing, April. Light in the eye makes a big difference, especially in this subdued light.
Ron you have turned me into quite the critic. I now look at all wildlife photos and say to myself, “no catch light, poor depth of field, out of focus eye, too cluttered, poor balance and so forth. Yikes and you should hear what I say about my own stuff!
That made me smile, then LOL, April. Thanks, I needed it.
There seems to be a line across the eye — not sure if that’s the catch light or another artifact. I think it would be really cool if you captured a horizontal catch light! 🙂
Marty, the “light in the eye” is a combination of a distinct bright catch light and a much more subtle horizontal catch light (probably the “line across the eye” you refer to}. A horizontal catch light is common when the bird’s in shade but the horizon behind the photographer is brightly lit. There was only a single cloud in the sky covering the sun but the rest of the sky and the horizon were bright.
Beautiful shot of a beautiful bird! And thanks for the photo lesson!
You’re welcome, Joanne. Thanks.
The photo is truly amazing. The background really highlights the black and white markings on the bird. You did good!!!
Thank you, Alice. Occasionally I luck out! 🙂
Occasionally you do ‘luck’ out. Though your defintion of luck is not the same as mine. Luck doesn’t have a lot to do with perserverance, practice and more practice in any dictionary I have read.
Ellie Baby, you say more in a few words than I do in a “book” –and all of it right on the nose!!!
Ditto! 😉
As far as a portrait of a shrike goes, this can’t possibly be beat. The detail is so sharp, even with my lousy eyesight, I can count the tiny feathers that ring the eye! Even the perch is perfect! It almost looks too good to be true….
I’m glad you like it that much, Patty. Thanks.
Definitely do…and then some!!! It’s wonderful…
I like it. It gives me an opportunity to really observe the bird.
Thanks, Arwen.
Just goes to prove that you can learn something new every day. Sometimes, it’s your name… 🙂 What a lovely shot and the feather detail…WOW! Just WOW! Loggerheads are just so cool. What a blessing!
I figured you might have a soft spot for shrikes, Laura – after all, they’re about as close to a raptor as songbirds get! 🙂
Beautiful shot and wonderful light. I often marvel at the fast shutter speeds you are able to use compared to our Midlle Western light, particularly in winter. Blacks can really be frustrating to capture without blowing out the highlights.
Jim, that’s one of the things that impressed me about this image. Getting nice exposure on the black and white combination is often so very difficult. In this situation the clouds helped.
Great shot, again, Ron. Another example of excellent photography opportunities under bright, but cloudy days. Its like shooting with a big umbrella. No harsh shadows. And great image quality from the 7DII at 1000 ISO and the crop. You once again provide proof of the capabilities of that camera and make me question why I got rid of mine and now only use full frame. Oh well, sometimes we make decisions we regret. Thanks again.
Frank, Overall I’ve been quite pleased with the image quality of the Mark II though it has given me some headaches at times for other reasons. Thanks.
Best shot of a Loggerhead I’ve ever seen Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks very much, Charlotte.
This shot is simply gorgeous! The bird and the twig both just really pop with that background and light. What impresses me is that it feels so three-dimensional, like I could reach out and touch the bird.
Thanks very much, Susan. It’s a simple image but I like it too.
I can see every color and feather, including a little bit of grey peeking out near the tip of the tail. I also like the perch and the position of the bird in the frame. Nicely done!
Thanks, Marty. Needless to say I was surprised at the image quality in those conditions.
Beautiful! It did bring out the colors of the bird for sure. 🙂 About the only time I see them here is when there is much ruckus atf the bird feeder being cleared and all birds going silent for awhile! Glad you took the shot – one never knows…………:)
Thanks, Judy. I assume you get both Loggerheads and Northerns?
Not sure – I’ve never paid that much attention! 🙁
I’ve had very, very few chances at Northern Shrikes.