Ruby-crowned kinglet on a snowy day

[Linda D.]

I've become obsessed with kinglets this spring and was thrilled to get this hyperactive little bird in focus when it launched. I'd welcome critiques.
(1/1600 s, f/5.6, ISO 3600; Nikon D500, 500 mm PF 5.6)

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Woody Meristem]

Looks good to me

 

[DripDryMcFleye]

Congratulations on a fine image! I spent 2-1/2 hours a couple of days ago trying to photograph gold crowned kinglets ( same size and just as hyper active). Was using a D500 & 500PF. I didn't get even one shot as good as yours.

 

[Linda D.]

Thanks, @Woody Meristem and @DripDryMcFleye! I've managed to get quite a few sharp pictures of them perched, but that doesn't seem to capture their spirit.

 

[bajadreamer]

Good job to even get the shot. Got the rump patch and even a little bit of the ruby crown. Not sure what the crop was, but looking at the down wing, it looks a little noisy. Maybe Topaz De Noise AI? Also, a tough job, but cloning out the branch running through and below his wing would remove a major distraction for me.

 

[Linda D.]

Good job to even get the shot. Got the rump patch and even a little bit of the ruby crown. Not sure what the crop was, but looking at the down wing, it looks a little noisy. Maybe Topaz De Noise AI? Also, a tough job, but cloning out the branch running through and below his wing would remove a major distraction for me.

Thanks for the comments, @bajadreamer. Much appreciated. I'd used the Low Light setting in Topaz DeNoise to get rid of the noise. I chose that setting over the others because I preferred the sharpening treatment elsewhere on the bird—the other settings made the feathers on the rest of the body look artificial and over-processed. I'll see if I can't find a happy medium. (Two passes through DeNoise?) I'll also try cloning out that branch. I agree that it's a distraction. I'll post a revised version when I'm done.

 

[bajadreamer]

Thanks for the comments, @bajadreamer. Much appreciated. I'd used the Low Light setting in Topaz DeNoise to get rid of the noise. I chose that setting over the others because I preferred the sharpening treatment elsewhere on the bird—the other settings made the feathers on the rest of the body look artificial and over-processed. I'll see if I can't find a happy medium. (Two passes through DeNoise?) I'll also try cloning out that branch. I agree that it's a distraction. I'll post a revised version when I'm done.

Thanks for the comments, @bajadreamer. Much appreciated. I'd used the Low Light setting in Topaz DeNoise to get rid of the noise. I chose that setting over the others because I preferred the sharpening treatment elsewhere on the bird—the other settings made the feathers on the rest of the body look artificial and over-processed. I'll see if I can't find a happy medium. (Two passes through DeNoise?) I'll also try cloning out that branch. I agree that it's a distraction. I'll post a revised version when I'm done.

Are you using DeNoise AI? If so, the masking tool, although a little cumbersome, works well to limit area affected. Also, with AI you can tweek the auto settings (reduce or even eliminate the sharpening).