Shaftail Finch - (enlarge)

My sincere thanks for your visits and those kind words of critique. I rarely am able to get decent captures of birds. Perhaps my luck will change.

Many thanks for those compliments. The encouragement is always good to hear. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this composition. Trusting all is well with you and yours, :) Gail

Sincere thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I count myself fortunate :) Gail

Many thanks each one for taking the time to visit and comment. AJ, I hope I answered your question in my answer to Jack.

Your critique was so encouraging. Often there are images where the main subject is pretty decent, but the background just does not 'add' to the composition. There are other choices of erasing a background, add a sky etc but they can be more time consuming and not always as effective. You 'told my story' so well, and I thank you.

sincere appreciation, Gail

Sincere thanks for your visits and of course just taking the time to convey how you felt about this composition. I do appreciate the encouragement so very much.

kind regards, Gail

Hi, Gail! What a lovely artistic picture of a bird: beautiful pastel colours and nice processing. Love it! Warm regards, Tamara

Beautiful treatment.  Great work, Gail.

sincere thanks to you both for your fine comments and encouragement. I do appreciate the time you took to visit very much! kind regards, Gail

You said everything in your request for critique, dear Gail! It left to me to say: Very successful picture taken in rather difficult circumstances! Everything well adjusted, the best that can be! I only don't understand why so huge noise in the background only! The ISO 800 can't be responsible for that cause I get much less noise at ISO1600 using a camera EOS Rebel Xsi which has earlier versions of processor and sensor?!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

I am not sure the cause Pierre. I am pretty sure I had the Picutre Syle on Neutral, but I may have chaged it to Standard, and I think it brings out the greens more. It was in the Dark Green areas that I saw artifacts of green, red and blue. I really do not know the cause, I just know I did not like it. Thank you for your visit. You know, maybe the sensor in the XSI is a better one???  I always learn a lot from your comments.

with sincere appreciation, Gail

The background seems digitally added or heavily tweaked.  Not a criticism in the least--it just explains (possibly) the noise, which to my eye doesn't offend as much as perplexes.  I like finches.  The have cute little "squeaky-toy" chirps, and their feather patterns are crazy-pretty.

Lovely shot, still beautiful, even with the noise.

Thank you for those kind words Emmanuel. Glad you enjoyed it,

kind regards, Gail

I did explain above that I added Textures and part of another image to make the background look a bit better, but perhaps I did not do that. One day I will get it right. Many thanks for your input, it is much appreciated.

sincere regards, Gail

So beautiful!!, I love it.

Hugs

I think of you often, living in your warm Mexico, especially during this Winter that has been so cold. All I have to do is think of your smiling face, and I am cheered up.

thank you my friend for your visit and kind words!!! Big Hugs from Cold Canada....:) GAil

What can I say - just lovely, but then I am partial to birds.  The slight lack of focus is in no way a distraction.  This image almost looks like a painting.  The soft lighting with a hint of lavender in the feathers is nice.  Such talent, Gail!

so good to hear from you Linda!! I am glad to hear your enjoyed this one!