# Black-headed Grosbeak **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [April 29, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642 "2026-04-29T20:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **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:** [April 29, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/1 "2026-04-29T20:58:37Z")
![_49A7063-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/8/6/8659d0a8e8b408bddc2de01592f214b406091516.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description These guys have been scarce here but this year there seem to be a few more. This is the female, and I’ve seen males and what may be a yearling with somewhat different plumage – I’ll post it later for information. In contrast we had a lot of Orioles last year, with more Bullocks than Hooded, and this year I’ve only seen one Hooded (male). ### Specific Feedback All comments welcome! ### Technical Details ![Screenshot 2026-04-29 at 1.47.06 PM](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/9/393a85740b432d0882416fc980889f3561052276.png) Minor global tonal tweaks in LR; into PS for denoise, slight retouch on the perch and very slight on the BG, added canvas at the top and cropped to about 70% of the original pixels. ---
**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:** [April 30, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/2 "2026-04-30T00:26:36Z")
Holy cow Diane! You’re getting some cracker shots, and this one is no exception. Wonderful detail on the bird and the very subtle colouring. I love the over-shoulder pose. Look at those little talons! And! that background! Top notch as always, Do you always denoise in PS? ---
**Author:** ![Jerry\_Austin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jerry_austin/32/396_2.png) [@Jerry\_Austin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jerry_Austin)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/3 "2026-04-30T00:39:53Z")
Not a flashy subject, but so pleasing. The graduated background is wonderful. ---
**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:** [April 30, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/4 "2026-04-30T03:31:28Z")
Thanks, @Glenys_Passier and @Jerry_Austin ! This is dappled morning light just peeking through trees up a hill, with just enough light on the bird. The BG is uncut native grass about 100 ft away with the sun illuminating the top and the bottom still mostly shaded. I usually denoise in PS if I’m going there anyway, but don’t think I’ve seen a difference with doing it in LR, except that it takes about 25 seconds there. It’s a little faster with Topaz Denoise AI. ---
**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:** [April 30, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/5 "2026-04-30T13:22:38Z")
A very nice pose with a wonderful BG. The lighter region of the top portion of the photo directs the viewer to the eye of the grosbeak. I like this one as presented…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:** [April 30, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/6 "2026-04-30T18:06:25Z")
Hi Diane The Black-headed Grosbeak, framing is spot on. The soft highlight in the background gives the head turn pop. Nice work. Peter ---
**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 1, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/7 "2026-05-01T00:21:14Z")
The pose and the nice background light around the head make the photo for me, Diane. As usual, excellent detail. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/8 "2026-05-01T02:22:49Z")
Love the head turn and fantastic details throughout. I like the varied background also. Really nice. ---
**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 1, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/9 "2026-05-01T03:05:02Z")
Thanks, @Allen_Brooks and @Allen_Sparks ! That grassy field was perfect for the light – total luck! ---
**Author:** ![canan](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@canan](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/canan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/10 "2026-05-01T04:39:00Z")
Beautiful image. I love how the colors in the background are in such good harmony with the colors of the bird. And the bird itself is beautifully sharp. ---
**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 3, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/11 "2026-05-03T21:24:05Z")
Lovely detail in this lady, Diane. I really like the pose and background. ---
**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, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/12 "2026-05-04T00:09:20Z")
Thanks, @canan and @Dennis_Plank ! Maybe a few more days before the babies fledge. ---
**Author:** ![Jerry\_Austin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jerry_austin/32/396_2.png) [@Jerry\_Austin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jerry_Austin)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/13 "2026-05-04T14:28:51Z")
Proof you don’t have to have a flashy subject to have a great image. 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, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/14 "2026-05-05T03:00:49Z")
Thanks, @Jerry_Austin ! Another case where the less-flashy females and juveniles are easier to photograph and process. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/15 "2026-05-05T20:44:13Z")
another wonderful image. Great pose. And as usual excellent detail and color. You appear to be having a great spring shooting ---
**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, 2026, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/black-headed-grosbeak/50642/16 "2026-05-06T14:14:57Z")
Thanks, @David_Schoen – it’s been a good spring!! And weather-wise, too. Spring is usually short here.