White-breasted Nuthatch + RP

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
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White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch2000×1264 371 KB

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Almost 3 months after foot surgery I’m finally able (barely) to get down a small slope to fill the bird feeders. I haven’t missed a lot as everyone seems to be molting and not very pretty, and some have gone south for the winter, but I’ve got cabin fever so I decided to see what I could find. A cooperative Nuthatch did stop by. I’ve never seen one with the back feathers fluffed up and it wasn’t windy, so I thought it was different enough to be interesting.

Specific Feedback Requested

All comments welcome!

Technical Details

Is this a composite: No
Canon R5, 100-500 + 2X at 1000, f/14, 1/800, ISO 3200. Minimal slider adjustments in LR, into PS for NR, slight cleanup on the perch and burned the ends, and a slight darker vignette. Slight crop bottom and right.

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I’m always happy to get a nuthatch, regardless, Diane. I like the pose-quite unusual. I’m glad to hear your foot is getting better. My wife has a chronic (genetic) issue with one of hers that requires periodic surgery, so I know what it’s like.

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A fluffy little girl…at least I think it’s a female judging by the color of the head (aren’t the females gray and the males black up there?) and I really like the pose and that you’re back out there at least a little. I haven’t really shot in a while and got out in the kayak yesterday with some herons and a deer. If you increased the contrast in the bird, I think that would be nice…looks like you have the detail and exposure for it. Beauty of a critter.

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Thanks guys! Yes, @Kris_Smith, mom or one of the kids. I’ve done a RP with more contrast on the bird – the belly feathers were looking pretty dingy – and darkened the yellows to show off the fluffed up feathers a bit more.

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Super job. Subtle, but effective. They are such cute little guys. I love their honking little calls.

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@Diane_Miller, first off, so sorry to hear about your foot surgery. I sure hope it’s healing well for you.

As others have said, the pose is just priceless. I like the fluffy back too. And you couldn’t have gotten a better background. Wonderful.

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Very cute! Of course, it’s a nuthatch, so how could it not be cute?! I really love the soft yellow background, it goes well with the light gray of the nuthatch. It’s really nice pose too.

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Bad hair day for our friend? Great detail as always, and I like the repost changes too.

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We don’t see the white breasted nuthatch here in the Pacific Northwest. It is always nice to see a different bird with slightly different behaviors and environment. Good job on this one with respect to the pose, background, and perch.

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Hi Diane
Glade to hear you are getting out and walking some. I don’t think I have ever seen a Nuthatch in this pose. Nice framing and detail, as always.
Peter