Longtailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

[Jonathan Ashton]

• OM Digital Solutions OM-1
• OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5
• ƒ/4.5
• 356mm
• 1/1600s
• ISO 1000
• Jon Ashton
• Flash not fired
• Fri, 15 December 2023 3:21 PM
• Jon Ashton
• DxO PureRAW 3

One of several Longtailed tits that paid a flying visit to the back garden. They roam about the countryside in family groups collectively looking after the youngest members. Image captured from a garden hide. Composition was always going to tricky with this shot, I am not convinced that removing the stems on the left would achieve much. Some on the RHS were removed.

OM-1. 150-400TC
Focal Length (35 mm conversion) : 713.0mm
Exposure mode : Manual exposure
ISO : 1000
Exposure compensation : 0.0 EV
Shutter : 1/1600 sec
Aperture : F4.5

ACR/PSCC

 

[Jack Backs]

Cute bird. I like the composition. I would remove the small broken branch on the left stem. I wouldn't send a bunch of time it but I might try generative AI fill to remove the dead leaf. Stunningly good sometimes and not worth a cr@p at other times.

 

[Colin Driscoll]

Very complimentary colors. Sharp and good light. The bent bit of twig doesn't bother me but I would clean up those two dark patches.

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, the perch is sympathetic to the bird and time of year. Overall the comp works for me, the broken stem is what it is, personally I would leave it. It's a bit Contrasty with the blacks and I would drop the blue creeping in. Popping the whites a fraction more, you have the room and the BKG can come up warmer across the board ie with the Ochres and the Burnt umber, just creates more interest/richness.

A nice winter capture.

TFS
Steve

 

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the composition as is and would not change a thing. I love the back of the bird tilted towards us with a great view of the folded wings.

 

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Beautiful bird and lovely image design.
I wouldn't miss the broken twig if it was gone, but I'm starting to like minor imperfections in images.
TFS.

 

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Jon ... love the species , they Arte so cute and attractive once they are on the move in troops .
Super cool image , well captured and I think it is a peach .
Personally, I would not change a thing .
The subject does look very very good in terms of processing !!! :5

TFS Andreas

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Beautiful little bird and I like the composition here, lovely capture!

Well processed with good colours. I wouldn't remove the stems on the LHS, IMO they help balance the frame.
Subject is sharp, nice HA, lovely detail. BG looks great. Wonderful work, Jon:cheers:

Warmest regards,