High key adult Cedar Waxwing – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 640, +1.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This morning I am sharing a simple adult Cedar Waxwing photo that I took four days ago as I sat in my Jeep next to a creek high in the Wasatch Mountains. While I saw and heard quite a few waxwings in that area not many came out into the open. In fact there were only two. This adult and a juvenile that I hope to share sometime in the future.
The light the morning I took this image was extremely variable due to clouds from a monsoonal flow from the south. I can’t recall the last time I raised and lowered my ISO as many times as I did four days ago. I had my ISO as high as 6400 at times and as low as 400 when the light was better. I also adjusted my exposure compensation almost as frequently so my subjects would be well exposed. The changing light made the morning challenging and interesting.
When I photographed this adult Cedar Waxwing perched in the willows next to the creek there were billowing white clouds in the sky behind the bird. Had I not increased my exposure compensation my subject, the waxwing, would have been too dark.
I’ve been seeing lots of Cedar Waxwings on my trips to the mountains recently and there are plenty of young waxwings traveling with them. It seems that they had a great breeding season this year and I am happy about that. There are plenty of berries for them to feed on this year and I hope to take more photos of this species feasting on them soon.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Cedar Waxwing photos plus facts and information about this species.
Stately and magnificent. Great pic. Thanks Mia.
Just beautiful – and I am very glad that this species at least has had a good season.
I can tell this is from that morning we were both in the area. It is starting to have the soft light that gave everything such a nice pastel look. Interestingly one other photographer I am friendly with, also has photos from that morning in the general area. His also has the same lighting effect. It was very interesting light and I love what it did to some of my photos. I think with the clouds over the direct sun but with reflected light from the near by hills still in full sun gave and interesting soft yellow, pink and flesh tones to the light. I wish I could duplicate it again.