Wagtail, a photo from Sor-Trondelag, South

Photographer's Note

Do I read despair in those tiny black eyes..?

This little fellow is a wagtail (Motacilla alba), just returned for the most important event in the Birdie Year - the breeding season!

But as you can see he is not very pleased with the situation in this snowy landscape! The wagtails spend the winter on the African continent, they are insect eaters solely and the tiny beak is not suitable for just any nourishment when in a tight spot...

If you look closely you can see that the bird is trying to blow the feathers to create insulation against the cold, but unfortunately his plumage isn't made for low temperatures.

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Hopefully this is the last capture for my Poor Spring Theme..? Whatever, I still have lots in the files hahaha...

besnard, Royaldevon, Budapestman, macondo, pierrefonds, belido, npecanhuk, Longroute, vasilpro, AnaVera, denisn72, jhm, yedirenk, Didi, JCG, Amaz, somkiat, josepmarin, Vasa, subhendu_bagchi, jlbrthnn, pajaran, jafadabret, paura, wgreis, shevchenko, papagolf21, Cricri, Angshu, danos, Leconte, Uhu, Bluejeans, plimrn, skippy007, mvdisco, maloutim, ruisc_pt, kordinator ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

besnard (59196) 2010-04-23 2:29

Bonjour Pablo
Il est superbe ce petit oiseau dans son environnement tout glacé. L'image est d'une grande netteté.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

Royaldevon (85606) 2010-04-23 2:39

Hello Pablo,

What a shock!
To leave the warmth of Africa and arrive to this frozen landscape!!
Love the details of the fluffy plummage, making its personal duvet!
The diagonal perch is excellent as is the sharp exposure against the oof, b/g.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

Budapestman (82620) 2010-04-23 2:40

Dear Pablo,
a very lovely portrait with beautiful details and composition, the colours and lights are very nice, great shot, TFs! Have a nice weekend, my friend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
George (György)

ktanska (44468) 2010-04-23 2:55

Hi Pablo,
A superb close-up of a wagtail. Spring sun is bright but there's still show on the ground giving good contrast. Excellent focus.
Kari

dta (98848) 2010-04-23 3:06

Hello PAblo ,
What a great bird picture ! The attitude , the thick branches , the snowy BG : I like a lot all these elements .
Regards

daddo (28748) 2010-04-23 3:07

hi Pablo. Great shot in may ways: it captures the cruelty of winter towards such vulnerable creatures, it also offers a lovely palette of harmonious colours, it is in addition an elegant and refined composition and finally, the light is beautiful. Regards. Klaudio.

JanD (0) 2010-04-23 3:25

Howdy PabloMinto!
Very fine bird. Very fine exposure. Good contrast and sharpness. Nice natural colors.
Fine image.
Regards.

[2]

macondo (20449) 2010-04-23 3:29

Hi Pablo.
A superbly delicate picture, almost like a picture from a high quality bird identification book. The shallow DOF is very effective, and so are the proportions of your crop. On top of that, some nice gentle sunlight glancing from the twigs. Wise use of the very fast shutter. Just a delightful photo.
Regards,
Andrew

snunney (130967) 2010-04-23 3:37

Hello Pablo,
A fine close-up of this bird caught out by the seasons. The detail and colours in the plumage are beautifully rendered.

rodgerg (55767) 2010-04-23 4:34

Hello Pablo,

A very nice bird and an excellent shot with the animal which arise very well in the white BG. Very graphic composition too. Congratulations for the high quality of this natural shot.
Have a nice WE,
Roger

pierrefonds (113590) 2010-04-23 5:47

Hi Pablo,

The branches are framing well the bird. The point of view is showing the detail and colors of the wagtail which is trying to warm up by blowing his feathers. The reflection of the light on the snow is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

LOOOK13 (19046) 2010-04-23 6:00

Salut.
Very beautiful photograph, a scene controlled to perfection, very beautiful colors, an animalist portrait very quite made up, with super returned.
Cheer.

belido (19934) 2010-04-23 6:32

Hi Pablo,

beautiful bird and excellent register. I guess you have some kind of friendship with those animals. They seem not to worry about your presence. Fantastic shot!
Regards,
Carlos

[2]

npecanhuk (79329) 2010-04-23 6:38

Hi Pablo!
Difficult catch here... that bird was probably about to fly and you had the talent to take its picture like this... so good!
I really like it!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

avishek_khan (544) 2010-04-23 6:39

Hi Pablo,

Smallest and perhaps cutest of the creations of nature! Crisp and sharp image. Nice informative note as well.

Thanks
Avishek

wolf38 (30) 2010-04-23 7:10

Hello Pablo. What kind of a little bird. I had to first look at the translator. Aha, a wagtail. You've captured him in an ideal position with your camera. Really very nice. Here in Germany there are many wagtails. They are distinguished by their special run, and the wings. Regards, Wolfgang.

Longroute (19600) 2010-04-23 7:11

Very fine Pablo,

both the light and the cozyness of the bird make a lovely scene. The sticks create an interesting graphic pattern. Really harmonious and pleasant.
Often the small birds have that intense expression in their eyes, as if they were suffering... or is it our immagination?

Excellent work,
Donato

saxo042 (38078) 2010-04-23 7:32

Hej Pablo,
This poor bird seems to have come a bit too early to his northern goal. I saw plenty of them in Oslo this Tuesday, but the weather was indeed more pleasant, at least no snow. A perfectly sharp capture with the twigs as natural and pleasant compositional details.
Hälsningar
Gunnar

AnaVera (0) 2010-04-23 8:51

Excellent take, my dear Pablo!!
Perfect composition and fine colours!!

Very well done!!

TFS

Kind regards,

[2]

vasilpro (41801) 2010-04-23 8:52

Hello Pablo,
Beautiful bird, excellent contrast, very good light management, wonderful composition.
Have a nice weekend, Vasilis.

denisn72 (8314) 2010-04-23 11:14

Hi Pablo,
Very sharp and clear! This lovely bird is really nice. I like its colours. I would like to hear its chant. Good job!
Best regards
Denis!

Urs (14082) 2010-04-23 16:07

Wow Papblo congrats that's a truly trilling shot of this little bird. Excellent sharpness and color hues and the bird is even watching the viewer!!! I like your shot, it's so nice. Well done Thanks for your critique of my paddy shot from Yan.

best regards
Urs

magalik (6103) 2010-04-23 16:20

Beautiful shot. Many people would dream to have taken this shot.
A little ball of fluff on a branch.
All is good for me : composition, framing and colors.
Well done.

Magali

aloyho (6798) 2010-04-23 18:29

Hi Pablo,
A very lovely shot and reminded me of many of the chinese scroll paintings. The details in the fluffy feathers are very attractive and the right DOF emphasized the point you mentioned about keeping warm. I would prefer you clone out the 'V' twig at the tip of its beak. Well done!!

Regards and a great weekend ahead.

UlfE (14641) 2010-04-23 23:28

Hei Pablo,

A very good sign of spring since wagtails return more or less the same day every year regardless if it is cold or not. You photo is excellent with the bird perfectly in focus. It is also very good that the faded plants in the background are a bit blurred. TFS and have nice weekend!

Hälsningar

Ulf

emka (157280) 2010-04-23 23:57

Hi Pablo, How cute is this little guy! poor birdie, made such a long way and found cold, snow, nothing to eat... fantastic photo and touching note.

Regards

Malgorzata

jhm (211734) 2010-04-24 0:30

Hello Pablo,

Perhaps a wonderful picture for TN, but I can here also enjoy of these splendid sharpness bird.
Lovely plumage and open beak as singer..
Nice quality and presentation, color and sharpness are perfect, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John

[2]

mauro61 (53411) 2010-04-24 0:32

ciao Pablo,
molto bella questa immagine che il fondo bianco fa risaltare moltissimo.
Soggetto perfettamente a fuoco e grande scatto, complimenti
maurizio

yedirenk (11244) 2010-04-24 1:17

Hi dear Pablo,
what a lovely bird,what a beautifiul portrait from snowy nature..light,sharpness and framing are perfect..great natural life shot,very impressive scene with wonderful contrast colours..congratulations dear friend..TFS
Have a nice weekend!

Cevdet

SWEETFREEDOM (24623) 2010-04-24 2:58

Hi Pablo,
a great bird's portrait with excellent colors and sharpness.
Form Africa to Norway must have been a real shock to it!
Regards

Alessandro

jmdias (114278) 2010-04-24 3:06

pablo

amazing view. the image is perfect and so beautiful. impressive sharpness, light and colors. congratulations, it is an image that would deserve a main post in the cover of a national geographic magazine.

hugs

jorge

[2]

Didi (61589) 2010-04-24 4:38

Hello Pablo
I whish to was there for testing my 300 mm.
In my place there is only pidgeons or sparrows.
You are very close to nature.
Very good catch.
Best regards

JCG (35153) 2010-04-24 6:43

Hello Pablo,

I am impressed by the quality of the image, this small bird on his branch is superb of clearness, it does not miss any more but his soft song to supplement the scene. I like much the expression of the animal which seems to appreciate this sun ray which makes shine its eye. Pretty and tenderizing photo, thank you Pablo.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

Disabled_A (0) 2010-04-24 11:18

Hi Pablo,
poor little birdie! lots of snow around... and yet, a bit of sun as well - which gives a glimpse of hope to us and the bird :)
Good nice photo, I like it!
Best regards,
aka fanni

jemaflor (146280) 2010-04-24 11:27

Hi Pablo,
Superbe shot well presented, perfect focus on this bird with a nice blurry bg, interesting attitude and warm light on the branche, well made.

foozi (7101) 2010-04-24 21:21

Hi Pablo,
wow...this is just like a Chinese painting. The excellent pestel presentation is so stunning. The criss cross of the brown branch makes the shot beautiful and pleasant and eye catching. Well done and superb composition of a top shelf.
Congratulations.

Regards,
Foozi

somkiat (1104) 2010-04-24 22:59

hallo pablo,
what a nice focus!!! you took it well in the superb moment. the feathers were blow. i like the minimal colors.and the line of wood stand made the good composition.
glad to see you again in this time,i've stopped to come in t/e for a long time.always miss everyone and beautiful photos.now imbe back
regards
somkait

Graal (103040) 2010-04-24 23:43

Hi Pablo,
good shot, fine hunter You're. Nice portrait of bird during the winter season. Well caught moment. I like it.
Have a nice sunday.
Aleksander

Giorgio (11279) 2010-04-24 23:56

- Nice composition in close-up Pablo, it makes me think of a traditional Japanese picture it's very successful, both the artistic and technical quality, well done!
Have a very good Sunday.
giorgio

TopGeo (38220) 2010-04-25 0:39

Hi Pablo! I like these small creatures that can visit even Africa Very I like also the melodies of birds they is the marvel in the nature Here they is a frame as drawing I believe it will always survive as!
Regards
Georgios

Nicou (193806) 2010-04-25 3:03

Hello,

mangigique image de cet petite oiseua, sur la fine branche, on se demande comme il tient, avvec l aneige, ce beau plumage, mangigique compo.

bravo et maitié

Nicou

Silvio1953 (220605) 2010-04-25 9:50

Ciao Pablo, lovely bird in nice pose against snow, fine details, splendid sharpness and beautiful natural colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

josepmarin (59385) 2010-04-25 9:56

Hi Pablo,
An excellent capture of this small bird put in a branch, trying to fight against the cold with his plumage, in the middle of a covered with snow landscape that seems to be hostile for him.
It is a fantastic scene, full of life and very attractive at sight.
Well done, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

AKITA (15125) 2010-04-25 14:28

dear Pablo,
wow...
very very lovely figure,
especially cute eye is splendid,
its feather looks including lots of air, quite like a balloon,
rather cold air but warm light is tender for it,
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

Vasa (515) 2010-04-25 15:37

Lovely picture Pablo. The serial sensitive with your "Confused". So glad to see it. many thanks friend,

Branko

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2010-04-25 23:23

Hello Pablo,
Nice photo of the bird within the white Very good composition, sharpness and nice colours.
have a nice day,
Achim

[2]

AiresSantos (56155) 2010-04-26 0:13

What beauty, my friend Pablo !
Excellent macro with fine low DOF and colors
Magnificent details
Have a nice week
Aires

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2010-04-26 2:49

Nice capture Pablo, here with the backdrop of snowy field the light bird is nice to watch at. In our country it is too much hot now and your cool shots give me a bit of relaxation from hot mentally. Thanks for this. Anyway it is a razor sharp photo with perfect exposer.
My best wishes to you.
Subhendu

[2]

jlbrthnn (76043) 2010-04-26 2:56

Hello Pablo,
You are a main photographer naturalist. This small ball of feathers is photographed in an attitude and an interesting context. Excellent realization. congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

pajaran (114915) 2010-04-26 3:48

Dobar dan, na nasu radost kod nas sunce.
Ptica koja sve izdrzi i moze, dobar motiv, boje i mnogo lepa fotografija.
Zima, zima e pa sta je, ptica je ukrasila snimak i daje novi zivot, cestitam na radu i trenutku snimka.
Lep uspesan dan i vreme, Paja.

Google.

Good day, our joy in our sun.
Birds that all stand and be a good theme, colors, and many beautiful pictures.
Winter, winter is and what is bird is decorated clip and give a new life, congratulations on the work and time recording.
Nice successful day and time, Paja.

[2]

Ola_Kwiatek (0) 2010-04-26 4:00

Nice shot. Very fine bird. Perfect exposure and sharpness. Nice white frame.
Cheers

[2]

jafadabret (56501) 2010-04-26 6:12

Bonjour Pablo,
Le 200mm et le D300 ont fait merveille !
J'aime ce portrait sur fond de neige. Une image d'une grande beauté !
Amicalement
Jacques

paura (25802) 2010-04-26 6:14

Pablo,
Finos detalhes nessa bem captada fotografia. Nitidez excelente nessa eficiente fotometria.

Abraço

Paulo

wgreis (8267) 2010-04-26 6:51

Hello Pablo,
fantastic sharpness of the bird. I liked also the DOF, valuing the very small bird.
Colors and brightness great too.
Beautiful show.
Hug and great week,
Wagner.

darek1978 (13361) 2010-04-26 8:42

Hi Pablo,
This bird is posing very well against the blurry background. Unbelievable level of details and sharpness to die for! I always enjoy your brilliant work. Compliments!
Thanks for sharing,
Darek

emjleclercq (15778) 2010-04-26 13:10

Yes, it seems a bit early to start nesting! A lovely capture with excellent sharpness.

All the best,

Emmanuel

gunbud (34066) 2010-04-26 18:48

Hi Pablo,
Let's hope there will soon be a gentle breeze from the southwest bringing the proper temps for this time of year.
The little fellow is seen in clear markings to go with his sharp black eye and sharper beak.
The golden hues of the long grasses contrast beautifully with the fresh snow.
Regards, Tom
PS Our nearby Adirondack Mts. are expecting 8 to 12 inches of snow tonight.

shevchenko (20560) 2010-04-26 23:16

Hi Pablo,
What a pretty bird perching alone on the branch, distinct bird's portrait, even clear to see it feathers, harmonious color between the bird and surrounding environment, distinct photo, good shoot.
Ally

papagolf21 (152605) 2010-04-27 2:48

Bonjour, cher Pablo,
Je suis toujours émerveillé par ces photographies d'oiseaux. Un oiseau est toujours en mouvement, il ne pose jamais pour le photographe, il faut se montrer très rusé pour arriver à obtenir une telle photographie.
Félicitations pour tout (photo et note d'accompagnement).
Amitiés.
Philippe

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2010-04-27 15:28

Hi Pablo.

Excellent moment and portrait! The details and the colours are amazing!

Rgs, Oscar

Cricri (176) 2010-04-27 23:45

Hello Pablo
Une capture de ce petit oiseau que vous savez si bien mise en image, adorablement poser sur la branche, le cadrage et la netteté au top, ( vivement les jours meilleurs pour tout ces petits animaux)
Have a nice day
cricri

ciakgiak (30) 2010-04-28 3:55

Hello Pablo,
really superb! It's very difficult to capture a similar scene, with a great subject like this one, but you were also able to compose a splendid scene.
The BG works very well in this fabulous image. The quality and the management of the DOF are great.
Congratulations, TFS.
Best regards.
Giorgio

danos (110407) 2010-04-28 12:00

Hi Pablo,
nice the view of this little fellow with the blur background to bring out the details of it and to make it seem so real.

Regards,Danos

Angshu (56760) 2010-04-28 21:21

Hello Pablo
Excellent crisp shot of the wagtail taken with the long end of the zoom, with good DOF. I also like how the light falls on the tig the bird is perched on. The poor bird is indeed suffering from the cold, leaving behind the warmth of Africa! Good work!
Regards
Angshu

devimeuxbe (58557) 2010-04-28 22:58

Hi Pablo
Excellente picture with a great sharpness and relief.
Nice contrasts also
Well done
Bertrand

Leconte (5795) 2010-04-29 3:39

hello Pablo,

what a wonderful closeup of this little bird, which must be very bright and not easy to capture, great clarity that distinguishes the beautiful colors and patterns of feathers and the beak very fine, wonderful composition,

best regards,
Valérie.

zoomer (6) 2010-04-30 17:11

Very delightful picture.Superb colors and sharpness and those stalks create an artistic backdrop.Best regards Wolf.

Uhu (8609) 2010-05-02 1:54

No squirrels this time, eh? :)
Nice little bird, and perfect photo of it - it's really a perfect detalisation. As about cold - hope he will manage it, after all, birdies are quite warm inside!
Great work.

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-05-03 5:41

Ola Pablo ,
Que magnifica foto deste pássaro , seus detalhes ficaram lindos , que bela espécie , boa luz, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

clic (76) 2010-05-04 7:23

Hello Pablo
Looks like the performance of a supplication song under your window about your bad habit of feeding ONLY squirrels!
Charming scenery!
Thanks for your visit.
Robert

plimrn (21344) 2010-05-05 11:33

Hi Pablo,
Splendid detail and sharpness in this unfortunate fellow. I hope he survived the adversity. The note is interesting and informative.
HLj, Pat

skippy007 (12510) 2010-05-06 3:34

Hello Pablo, looks like this little fellow did not listen to the weather forecast ;-), An excellent capture, so sharp & clear, you even managed a reflection in his eye, this is worthy of front page in a nature magazine. It looks to me as though he may have had the breeding season on his mind but now he would be more interested in keeping worm & filling his little stomach ;-). Well done, a beautiful image, excellent colour & clarity. Thank you
Regards
Santo

mvdisco (17798) 2010-05-11 15:51

Hi Pablo,
Beautiful capture of this lovely bird,
Excellent POV. and DOF. with nice colors contrast,
good focus and sharp picture,
very well done.
Michel

danyy (0) 2010-05-30 23:01

Dur l'hiver pour les oiseaux, ils gonflent leurs plumes pour garder la chaleur.
Un beau document pris sur le vif.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

maloutim (13617) 2010-06-29 14:39

Hi Pablo!
Very cute this wagtail with its open beak as if he was talking to you:"Where is my dinner?"
I like the way he has made his feathers fluffy on his sides, probably to stand the cold better.
I also like the touch of colour given by the dry branches which make a nice frame to the bird!
A great composition!
Best regards.
Marie Louise.

ruisc_pt (11584) 2010-07-06 0:18

Hi Pablo
I liked this your great but simple composition.
Fantastic white balance here and contrast.
TFS
Rui

xramm (1831) 2010-07-07 0:17

Hello Pablo,

This is probably cutest bird I ve ever seen.
Good framing, good exposure and details.
Regards,
Hakki

chrisnet (23062) 2010-09-07 12:27

Hello Pablo,
Marvellous shot of this lovely bird, very well taken into this snowy environnement, I like much this composition.
Regards
Christian

jugnutoor (1017) 2010-10-09 1:40

Hi Pablo, spring might be poor but the shot is really nice. Very simple and cool composition but not an easy job.

s_lush (16602) 2010-11-14 12:49

Hello Pablo,
You have captured this little creature with unbelievably high quality, when each detail is visible quite clearly. Excellent bleared background, perfect surrounding, and, in general, wonderful shot!
Best regards,
Sergiy

kordinator (8738) 2011-02-03 0:31

Hello Pablo
A superb close-up of a wagtail.
Excellent focus.
Lovely portrait with beautiful details and composition.
Nice blured snowy background.
Colours and lights are excellent.
Perfect job.
Regards
Saša