Collared sunbird

This little bird is really testing my patience. Its been almost 2 years since I last managed to get a photo of one of these and since then I have been trying to get a better shot. The last three days I have been watching this one and waiting for it to come to a suitable position, but it never stays for more than a split second. I am still not happy with this shot, but it is marginally better than the last one and I may never get another opportunity...but I will keep trying!!!

comments (10)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I think it is an awesome shot, Claire! There's only a small noise issue at the 100% level, but it is entirely understandable in a fast bird shot, and few inspect photos that way. Instead the attention is drawn to this being a colorful and uplifting photo of a gorgeous bird. The composition is excellent as well. Posted 10 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Aw, thanks Ferdy, makes me feel a bit better. I always seem to have a huge noise problem on both the 7D and the 70D at anything over 800-1000ISO. Thank goodness for lightroom as it can remove a lot of it! Posted 10 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Well, it seems that low ISO (what we're used to on normal and macro lenses) is not in the affordable range for people like us when it comes to very long lenses. I do want to offer a post processing tip. Normally, reducing noise also reduces sharpness and detail. However, on some photos (not this one, since the background is too complex), you can easily apply noise reduction on the background yet not the subject. If the scene is simple enough, in Lightroom use the Radial Filter tool and drag it roughly around your subject. Next, any changes you make in the basics panel will apply to everything outside that shape, thus the background. It will not be a hard stop, rather a smooth transition. So if in this setup your reduce sharpness and clarity or increase noise reduction, it will not affect the subject. Give it a try if you haven't already.
    
    For more complicated scenes, you can do the same thing but this time using the brush tool. It's far more tedious, so I tend to only do that on photos that I find worthwhile. Posted 10 years ago, modified 10 years ago
  2. 1. Claire Hamilton
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks Ferdy, I have tried this but sometimes I want to keep the clarity in the background. The luminance slider is great for this but not available (that I know) when using the radial filter. Quite often I will use the brush tool, but really, I do need to have more practice! Posted 10 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Looks like you were already aware of all these options, you sure learned quickly since adapting to LR! Posted 10 years ago

travismorhardt

Lion

Beautiful shot, Claire! Posted 10 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Travis! Posted 10 years ago

Msalicat

Giant Tortoise

Your patience will pay off and hopefully you will get your WOW shot!!! Posted 10 years ago

Tarsier

Lion

Beautiful composition and fantastic light:-)! Posted 9 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you!! Posted 9 years ago

The Collared Sunbird

The Collared Sunbird, Hedydipna collaris, is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Collared Sunbird is in fact mainly insectivorous.

Info 9 0

Similar species: Perching Birds

Species identified by Claire Hamilton