White Breasted Nut Hatch

[Kyle]

A couple shots of a White-Breasted Nut Hatch I saw in Mud Lake in Ottawa. It was definitely hard to capture since it kept jumping around and would not stay still. It's a very interesting bird. It seems to like this stance where it bends it's back and it points its head up.

1.

Not the most in focus but I still like the colour.
2.

This one is my favourite. I normally don't put the main focus of my photos direct center but I find it works in this case.
3.

All c&c welcome.

[Donald]

I think you've made the key critical assessment yourself, Kyle. The focus point in the first one is somewhere a few inches closer to the camera than the bird is. Whereas with the others, you nailed the focus right on the bird. And you can see the difference in the detail of the feathers and in the clarity of its eye.

[IzzieK]

I like #3 Kyle. The eyes showed it all. No 1 and 2 is showing its antics. Can you still edit the eyes to show some shine in it. How big (or how small?) is this bird? Just curious...

[Kyle]

Thanks for the comment Donald. I was disappointed with the focus in the first shot but it still works as a profile shot to show how the bird likes to stand.

Thanks, Izzie. I'll take a look at editing the eye on that one. I'm not any good at spot editing yet so I doubt it'll work out. I have issues making it look like it fits in.
The bird was pretty small. About the size of a Finch I guess.

[Shadowman]

Nice images.

[Geoff F]

All work well, Kyle, but I think I would try #3 with a crop to 4 x 5 ratio to reduce some of the out of focus area.

[Kyle]

Thanks for the comments John and Geoff.
Here's an update based on your feedback.

[Geoff F]

Yes Kyle, that has removed a lot of the distracting blank space.

[bnnrcn]

Cropped version looks very nice Kyle

[Kyle]

Thanks Binnur and Geoff, glad you like the update. It is much better.