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Winter Chickadee
Published: 2008-12-21 01:07:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 16699; Favourites: 1291; Downloads: 0
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Description
I LOVE THIS SHOT! Winter hit with a vengeance but the birds didn't care.Wow a DD Thank you to everyone for the kind words and comments. All the Favs are amazing.
I'm submitting it for a print
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Comments: 147
I've always thought that the best photographers paint with light rather than just take pictures, and so the best photos could pass as paintings. This could be an oil painting, with the blurry background, and the way the colours blend is almost remeniscent of the sfumato technique. The colour scheme is actually unusual for a winter shot, which usually entail colder hues. The colour of the tree bark, the beautiful colouring of the chikadee & the background perfectly complement eachother. The warmth of the shot, and yet the presence of snow makes me feel like it's Christmas time, when the cold outside is tempered by the warmth of festivity. Perhaps that is the reason why I have to remember to write 'Chikadee' rather than 'robin', which is more associated with Christmas.
I must also mention the cute appeal: the focus on the chikadee just highlights its furry belly and round shape, which makes this shot downright adorable.
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First, wow.
I am very much a fan of the level of detail you have captured. The depth of field of this piece both with the chickadee and with the branches he is resting on is bar none - excellent job!
The falling snow is a lovely effect that really makes this photo, as does the small bit of snow brushing around the face of the bird.
Although not typically seen in winter work, the background colours are absolutely ideal for bringing the richness of the tan feathering of the chickadee out and making him really pop. The blacks and whites really stand out here, contrasting with the less defined colours and more bokeh like background in a very soothing way.
This photo is almost like a painting - and those conditions you captured are superb. One small change I might suggest to make the piece stronger would be somehow removing that little blip of leaf or twig (not sure which) that is both faded and out of focus directly underneath the bird's legs at the bottom of the photo and another little blip of tan to the right as well, coming up from the bottom of the photo again - it is distracting from the overall composition, interrupts the flow in both cases, albeit not in a critical way. These are very small nitpicky details, to be sure!
Not photographing the bird dead center was very smart, placement wise. The added space around him adds an ambiance that would be completely missed if the bird was the center of the photo.
It would look cluttered with less space length wise, although you might want to try bringing the top of the photo down just the smallest amount and see how it looks in comparison. It might make a big difference.
Otherwise - great job! There was a reason this is one of my absolute favorite chickadee photos. I'm so glad you asked for critiques so I could explain why.
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I love this shot too. The colour pallette you have here is great. The warm tones of the foliage in winter make an nice contrast tot he cold implied by the snow and overall the image is a very cosy one.
I am not a wildlife photogrpah, indeed I have never even tried, but I can see that an image like this is generally not easy to capture. The focus is dead on, the background is wonderfully soft and out of focus and the bird itself looks quite adorable for want of a better word!
It isnt ofte that I see a shot that I cant really critique but this image really is beautiful and a pleasure to view. Congrats on a wonderful image.
Alex
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HiΒ
I was wondering if I could get permission to use your image on an article i'm working on. Please contact me on sam.atherton@insideonline.co.uk.
Thanks,
Sam
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Wonderful!! Β I love the snowflakes in the background! Β and the few you can see collecting on his beak and feathers! Β 
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Wonderful picture. Great capturing of the moment, and you seem to have gotten it right when the best came out. Great job!
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You have been featured in my new contest! [link] Please feel free to enter if you have any photos that meet the guidelines.
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Hi, i love this picture and i was wondering if youd mind if i tried to paint it? i'd make a link back to your picture of course.
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Id be interested to see what you do
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Thank you
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oh you already said no to someone. so i guess not.
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I'd rather you didnt. Thank you for asking
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If it weren't for them being wild I would totally get one as a pet! They're so cute!
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Excellent photo! 
It will be great if you join as a member at DA-Premium! [link]
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I love it! 
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That was shot with my 500mm Tamron
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Your beautiful photo has been featured here [link]
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omgsh I love chickadees! (private joke) this shot is amazing!
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Oh but now you have to clue me in.
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lol i went to canada with friends, there were tonnes and we were like chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee-de! lol
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Beautiful shot! Birdie is soo perfect, very cute! Love the color of background! Nice!
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Amazing, the chickadee looks so alive, like it'll just fly out of the computer. I love how you captured the photo.
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This is a notification that this Amazingly Lovely Deviation has been featured in my ''Amazing Bird Photographers'' Feature! ~ [link] ~ Please go take a look, give some feedback and of course, fave the article! Also, have a wonderful day!
Tia Rioux
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Oh my!! Such a great shot, man!
This kinds of shot can be pure lucky, when at the same time they can be pure skill aswell (or both too).
IΒ΄m so thankful for this kinds of shot, that capture the precious images of the animals and nature.
The focus in this Chickadee is very great.
ItΒ΄s very beautiful
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Oh wow. The bird looks almost pasted into the scenery with how crisp he came out as compared to everything else.
I love this so much, he's so adorable. <3
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Looks like the shot at he begining of Fable 2. Great Work!
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The detail down to individual feathers and the small bits of snow/ice on the beak is incredible! What kind of camera did you use?
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Read the EXIF! 
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omigosh that birdie is super cute!!
great focus! it's so sharp!
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Chickadees are my favorite bird. So cute and friendly, and their song is beautiful. Wonderful shot. Chickadees actually make winter bearable.
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I agree with you. Although I have never heard a chickadee song, I sometimes see them perching in the tree in my backyard. Chickadees are so cute and beautiful! And they are my favorite bird.
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