Maria Mazo, PPSA
July 2025 - Hippolais Polyglotta
Original
About the Image(s)
For this month's image, I've chosen one that I believe features a Zarcero Políglota (Hippolais polyglotta). I photographed it early last week in the morning, in an area near my house where wild ferns grow abundantly. I believe this type of vegetation is ideal for these small birds, as they often use it for hiding and nesting. EXIF data: Shutter speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f/7.1 ISO: 2000 Shot with Canon R5 II and 100??“500 mm zoom lens at 500 mm.
7 comments posted
Hey Maria, very nice image with the blurred background making the bird stand out. To my eye a little contrast would make the bird pop off the page. I have attached copy where is darkened the mid tones and a slight vignette. Bruce Posted: 07/09/2025 16:13:23
Hi Bruce,
Thank you for your comment and suggestions that I really appreciate. They helped make the image pop!
Posted: 07/18/2025 08:58:56
Thank you for your comment and suggestions that I really appreciate. They helped make the image pop!
Posted: 07/18/2025 08:58:56
Good shot. One thing I always try to be aware of is things that are in front of the subject. There appears to be an out of focus branch in front of the bird's legs, and this could be avoided by simply moving over a little; you would then have an unobstructed view of the whole bird. I like what Bruce did with raising the contrast. Also, if you don't mind, I changed the cropping in such a way as to narrow in on the bird. There may be too much of the background included, which adds too much negative space and doesn't help the composition. Still, lots to commend this image. Posted: 07/13/2025 15:47:05
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for your nice comment. I agree with you about the fern branch, it was between me and the bird, and maybe I could have avoided it by moving to the side. But this little demon was moving so fast from side to side that I was too afraid to move, worried it would disappear before I had a chance to get the shot!
Posted: 07/18/2025 09:03:19
Thank you for your nice comment. I agree with you about the fern branch, it was between me and the bird, and maybe I could have avoided it by moving to the side. But this little demon was moving so fast from side to side that I was too afraid to move, worried it would disappear before I had a chance to get the shot!
Posted: 07/18/2025 09:03:19
Again you have a nice capture of a bird. I am sure it jumps about so getting a sharp image is not easy ... congrats on that. All the suggestions for crops are appropriate but sometimes seening the elements of its environment is nice too. Really a personal decision. Posted: 07/20/2025 19:08:59
Maria, what a lovely image of a cute little bird. The uniformly soft background and little bit of purple color in the flowers are such a nice touch.
I like the story / feeling told by your presentation- very quiet and soft and pretty. The gentle flow of the foreground vegetation adds interest and fills the space, but without detracting my attention from the bird.
I also like the more contrasty, cropped versions- but to me it's a different story/ feeling (if only slightly..) So this is a good example of letting your intentions for the image decide which option to choose! Posted: 07/25/2025 20:09:35
I like the story / feeling told by your presentation- very quiet and soft and pretty. The gentle flow of the foreground vegetation adds interest and fills the space, but without detracting my attention from the bird.
I also like the more contrasty, cropped versions- but to me it's a different story/ feeling (if only slightly..) So this is a good example of letting your intentions for the image decide which option to choose! Posted: 07/25/2025 20:09:35
Maria - lovey pleasing image this. I agree with Jerry's observation about whatever is in front of its legs - it doesn't ruin it for me though, while accepting that it would certainly improve the image. As to contrast and cropping - all very individual. I'm not sure this setting suits too punchy a presentation. Your bird is quite a character and I like how its sitting on a relatively big flower base. Posted: 07/29/2025 17:04:17