Especially when so many of my recent posts have been long ones with many photos and lots of text to read.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Five days ago I paid another visit to the pair of House Wrens who have set up housekeeping inside a rusty old pipe in the mountains. I found this one of the pair perched on a smaller pipe directly below the larger one its nest is in. I didn’t stay long because the sun was already high enough in the sky to make getting a catch light in the eye difficult but I like the way this photo turned out.
I like its simplicity with just the bird, the clean and homogenous background and and the linear pipe reaching from frame edge to frame edge. Years ago Richard Ditch, one of my early bird photography mentors, taught me to appreciate simplicity and graphic lines in my images so I immediately thought of Rich when I saw this photo that included the pipe running from edge to edge. I also like the way the very similar colors of bird and perch make the wren almost seem like a non-linear extension of the pipe – a bump on a log so to speak.
I realize this photo won’t appeal much to some of my readers. House Wrens are a ‘common’ species, the perch is far from natural and not everyone appreciates graphic lines – especially in nature photography.
But it works for me so I decided to throw it out there.
Ron
Nice composition. This one capture somewhat misrepresents my view of this species as one in perpetual motion with expressive tail positions. You caught “him” in a rather sedate posture.
The House Wrens in our backyard started fledging this morning. My job is to keep our dog away from them as they learn to fly. They are so gosh darn cute. It’s cool to see a good photo of one; our adults are so fast I rarely get more than a glimpse. We have more out in front and our neighbors have some, too.
Simple works for my simple minded self. And what a beautiful addition to that pipe.
You’re far from simple minded, EC. That I’m sure of.
It is nice to have simple, brings more notice to the subject and it’s intricacies. I wish they were common in my yard, lovely songs.
April, I’ve never seen one in my yard. Probably never will.
I love the house wren and look forward to their return every spring. I love their song and their sass and the intricate way they build their nests.
Agreed, there’s lots of things to like about them.
I like it. It’s that simple.
Good to know. Thanks, Lyle.
Yep, works for me too! He’s got so much character just standing there – and that pipe has rusted to perfection!
“that pipe has rusted to perfection”
I like the way you put that, Jamila. And I agree.
The interesting oxidation patterns on the pipe echo the interesting markings on the wren. Such a nifty shot — sometimes simple really is best.
Thanks, Marty. Yup, “simple” definitely has its charm.
Ditto. And I love wrens – House. Canyon, Bewick’s….. Little bundles of song.
“Little bundles of song”
Mary, Birds of the World describes House Wrens as having a “very loquacious nature”. Fits, don’t you think.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” Leonardo da Vinci. Or in more contemporary words, :Keep it simple stupid.” The more you look at it the more you appreciate its simplicity. And as plain as it is, that little House Wren is handsome.
I like your Leonardo quote, Everett. I’d never seen it.
IT gets my double vote! Thank you for sharing.
Double thanks for your votes, CJ.
Ron,
“Throw it out there.” Keep on throwing!
A recent Scott Kelby video emphasized the importance of “simplicity” in great photographs. You follow this advice almost every day as you try to get “just one bird in my photographs.” Simple is good: all the emphasis is where it should be!
Stephen
Much appreciated, Stephen.
I love the pipe and the bird. I too was taught to appreciate graphic lines in my photo compositions. And if we persist in insisting that wild animals be pristine, steering clear of our “unnatural” world, we will have fewer and fewer images of them.
I actually like that rusty old pipe too, Mary. I hate rust in many situations but not in my photos.
It certainly works for me, especially how the shadows give depth.
Good. Thanks, Steve.
Nice, simple composition tho, to me, the pipe draws attention to itself as much, if not more, that the wren. One would think those pipes would get awfully warm at times – no accounting where wrens decided to nest tho! 😉
Judy, I have the same worry about the interior of the pipe getting too hot for both nestlings and parents. But Mountain Bluebirds nesting in a pipe just like this one and not far away have successfully hatched their eggs and are feeding young right now so I do have hope.
It is often difficult to get an image like this. The graphic lines and unnatural perch really contribute to the final outcome rather than detract from it.
Thanks, Bruce. I’m glad you like it.