# Black-headed Grosbeak, M **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [May 4, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114 "2022-05-04T23:13:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/1 "2022-05-04T23:13:08Z")
![Black-headed Grosbeak, M](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/3/93cebaaa57aeb12bc97f7acf8d68ea3311f25d38.jpeg) From a couple of days ago with some nice cloudy light – and the luck of a good pose with the body right in the focal plane. I’m wondering if this is a fledgling – he’s so clean. ### Specific Feedback Requested All comments welcome! ### Technical Details Canon R5, 100-500 + 1.4X at 700mm. ISO 1600, 1/400 sec, f/10 for a little more DOF. Tripod. Only raw adjustments (LR) were slight Shadows and Highlights. In PS only NR and retouched two areas on the perch, then Detail Extractor to pull out a little more BG detail and a slight vignette. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 12:32am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/2 "2022-05-05T00:32:39Z")
Largest view provides an excellent view of the feather detail. Maybe a touch of space on the left for framing is my only minor suggestion. Wonderful photo…Jim ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/3 "2022-05-05T02:11:31Z")
Hi Diane I agree with Jim on the framing and can only add this is a vary clean looking Grosbeak and a lovely photograph. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 5:51am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/4 "2022-05-05T05:51:13Z")
Oh! This is gorgeous. Great looking bird on a nice perch with a great background as well. Of course, details are perfect. My only thought is; perhaps flipping horizontal? I’m always trying to smooth or tame backgrounds, but here, you’ve opted for more detail. Certainly not a criticism, because it’s worked so well! ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 12:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/5 "2022-05-05T12:44:48Z")
Excellent, Diane. Perch, pose and background all work well together. I do agree with Jim on a touch more room on the left. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/6 "2022-05-05T14:44:00Z")
Great feather detail on the large image. Nice pose, perch, and background. I like the composition as is. My eye is drawn away from the left side, so I’m not sure if more canvas on the left would matter. In general, I prefer this orientation, perhaps because we’re used to reading from left to right. ---
**Author:** ![terryb](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/terryb/32/39625_2.png) [@terryb](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/terryb)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/7 "2022-05-05T14:51:54Z")
I can add nothing to the detailed critiques above. Will just say a fine shot of a beautiful bird that we rarely, if ever, see in this part of the country. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/8 "2022-05-05T22:14:54Z")
Thanks, everyone! The left side is the original frame edge; would be easy to add a little more with content-aware fill – I’ll have a look at it. I do agree its on the border of needing more there, but just a little bit more. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen\_Stanton](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/stephen_stanton/32/575_2.png) [@Stephen\_Stanton](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Stephen_Stanton)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/9 "2022-05-06T19:11:14Z")
Beautiful shot of a handsome bird, definitely not a fledgling, Diane, I believe it would take a season to get full feathers and colors. Looks like it recently took a bath though . Great feather detail throughout the image. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/10 "2022-05-06T19:45:20Z")
He is a beautiful bird, Diane. I don’t think I have ever seen one in the wild, so maybe he is mainly out west. Such wonderful details in his feathers, and sweet lighting, with a very nice BG and I like the perch as well. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 11:40pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak-m/28114/11 "2022-05-06T23:40:35Z")
Thanks, everyone! @Shirley_Freeman, they are found in the western half of the country. They winter in Mexico (sounds nice!) and breed up here. They come and go with the Orioles. @Stephen_Stanton – thanks! I had shot some several years ago and had forgotten that the young-uns are similar to the female. Maybe I’ll get one soon. They love the sunflower feeder.