Pygmy Nuthatch

[Vivek Khanzode]

Hi folks,

Have been out of circulation for some time due to work and family commitments. Here is a picture of the "pygmy nuthatch" taken yesterday in the Santa Cruz mountains (south of San Jose, CA).

Technical details: Shot with Canon 300 f/1.8L with a 2X converter on a tripod. Second of a series of shots. PP included NR, sharpening and small amount of curves adjustment. Almost full frame; cropped about 10% on the left side.

Vivek Khazode Pygmy Nuthatch​

All C&C is appreciated.

-- Vivek

 

[Don Cohen]

Cute little bird, Vivek! Exposure looks quite accurate (although I might use Shadows/Highlights tool to slightly tone down some of the birghter whites on the branches it's on, and perhaps some of the shadows a tad).

I'd also be interested in seeing the uncropped version, to consider composition choices other than central placement of the nuthatch.

(And I assume that's a typo - Canon f/2.8L?)

 

[Vivek Khanzode]

Don

Yes I agree. It looks a lot brighter on thsi monitor at work, but at home it looked better / fine. I did tone down the underside of the bird a bit. I will also post the uncropped version when I get home tonight.

And yes it is the 300 / 2.8 L as you noticed... too late in the night for me and obviously I was not paying attention.

-- Vivek

 

[Asher Kelman]

Technical details: Shot with Canon 300 f/1.8L with a 2X converter on a tripod. Second of a series of shots. PP included NR, sharpening and small amount of curves adjustment. Almost full frame; cropped about 10% on the left side.

Vivek Khazode Pygmy Nuthatch​

Vivek,

Thanks for educating me with this beautiful picture. Don has a knack for insightful comments and the idea to tame to bark is a good one or else make the bird pop more with adjustment of curves. His way is the least damaging. I hope you can post the original too. The final picture has to represent the allusion you wish to convey since this bird will look slightly different in each setting it flies to.

I hope you have more to share.

The 300mm + x2.0 works well here. Sometimes the 1.4 X gives better results. I wonder how the 200-400 would perform for birding with the x1.4? Are you using a Wimberly to give the lens easy swinging capability?

Asher