Female Western Bluebird

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

The Bluebirds have continued to come by in the mornings and we had some nice sunshine first thing today between rain squalls. When I went out to fill bird feeders, the Bluebirds were everywhere, so I had to go back in and grab my camera.

While they’re used to us and will let me get within acceptable range, I still end up with some pretty substantial crops as they’ll fly if I get too close.

20181130-_7D20114Yardbirds-Editlarge%20npn
20181130-_7D20114Yardbirds-Editlarge%20npn1400×1200 668 KB

What technical feedback would you like if any?

Anything you see.

What artistic feedback would you like if any?

I wanted to include the branch on the right, which forced me into a different crop than I would have used without it. Does this composition work?

Any pertinent technical details:

7DII, Sigma 150-600 C @ 600 mm, hand held, f/8, 1/800, iso 800, manual exposure. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to a 9.1 MP 7x6. Taken at 9:46 this morning under sunnyish skies (some clouds were just starting to filter the sun).

You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
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Some of our BBs are back too, and looking forward to many in AZ in January.
This comp , while a little different, works very well, imo.
I might try to move the bird a bit to the right, if possible, but still preserve the buds on the right tree.
Any chance you can coax a little more colour from the bird?
Sandy

3

Hi Sandy. If you’re thinking about more color from the head, I’m afraid the female is rather dull in that department, particularly this time of year. I was pushing reality a bit on the orange breast as it was. The feather tips will wear off over the winter and by spring she’ll look a bit brighter. Thanks for the input on the crop. I’ll play with it some more.