Rose-breasted Grosbeak

[gjtoth]

It's been over three years since I've seen one of these guys at the feeders. Today, there were two males and a female. I blew the opportunity to capture the female but, I got a few shots of the males.

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010322_1.JPG

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010320_1.JPG

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010304_1.JPG

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010301_1.JPG

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010295_1.JPG

[Bambe]

wow. great captures of a beautiful couple!! thanks, I've never seen them before.

[gjtoth]

wow. great captures of a beautiful couple!! thanks, I've never seen them before.

Thanks very much. :) I neglected to post the EXIF data. So, here it is for #3. It's fairly close for all of them. Captured with the 50-200mm & EC-20.

File name: P5010304.JPG (Standard EXIF Tags)

>>> Image Information <<<

Model : E-620
Manufacturer : OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Image Description : OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Date and Time : 2011:05:02 17:37:06


>>> Photograph Information <<<

White Balance : Manual
Sharpness : Hard
Saturation : High
Metering Mode : Spot
Light Source : Cloudy weather
ISO Speed Ratings : 200
Focal Length : 294.0 mm
Flash : Yes, did not fire
FNumber : F6.4
Exposure Time : 1/125 s
Exposure Program : Manual
Exposure Mode : Manual
Exposure Bias : 0 EV
Contrast : Hard

[Kaye]

These are beautiful Gary. Again such nice sharpness. You have so many beautiful birds where you are.

[gjtoth]

Here are a couple more I thought were pretty cool.

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010259_1.JPG

http://toths.us/Piwigo/galleries/Birds_3/P5010260_1.JPG

[delboy]

I think they are all brilliant Gary, But I like the last one with the bird at the feeder. My first thought was to clone out the seed he had dropped, but on second thoughts it is part of the photo.

After looking at some of your other photos, You certainly have the art in taking wildlife photo.

Regards

Delboy.

PS, "She who must be obeyed" looked over my shoulder and saw your photos, and her comment was Brilliant.

del

[jonrayner]

Super sharp and lovely creamy bokeh - nice work.
Jon

[Kaye]

Gary, since my last post, you have posted 2 more. Just wanted to say that I really love the one hanging from the bird feeder.

I have a question for your: I do understand that the settings/distance/closeness will make most of the difference with DOF (as I love your creamy/mushy DOF here and in many of your shots).....
Does metering affect this at all? I notice that you are often or always set to Spot Metering.

[gjtoth]

I think they are all brilliant Gary, But I like the last one with the bird at the feeder. My first thought was to clone out the seed he had dropped, but on second thoughts it is part of the photo.

After looking at some of your other photos, You certainly have the art in taking wildlife photo.

Regards

Delboy.

PS, "She who must be obeyed" looked over my shoulder and saw your photos, and her comment was Brilliant.

del


Super sharp and lovely creamy bokeh - nice work.
Jon


Gary, since my last post, you have posted 2 more. Just wanted to say that I really love the one hanging from the bird feeder.

I have a question for your: I do understand that the settings/distance/closeness will make most of the difference with DOF (as I love your creamy/mushy DOF here and in many of your shots).....
Does metering affect this at all? I notice that you are often or always set to Spot Metering.

Thanks so much, everyone, for your comments.

@ Kaye - metering only affects exposure, Kaye. DOF is affected by focal length(s). What it MIGHT affect is the visibility of some objects. IE - if something in the background is dark or almost black, less exposure is going to render that object invisible or barely visible as it get merged into the background.

[Kaye]

Thank you very much Gary. You explained this very well. I will do some more homework on this also.

[DoctorJazz]

Gary,
Beautiful images of such a stunning bird. The third is just so striking with the composition and soft background.