The setting sun created very dramatic lighting on the Bluebird as it landed. I was not actually intending to try to get a shot of this bird with its wings out like this, I was a bit too close to capture the entire bird, and I was under the impression that the light was getting to dim to freeze the action. In reality I was trying to get a closeup of the bird with something interesting in its mouth.
I would have preferred to capture the entire bird in the frame and not clip any of its wings or tail, and possibly create a better composition. After looking at this image for a while I decided that I really like it because it feels much closer than the other images. I especially like that you can see the detail of the horizon reflected in the birds eye.
ISO 800 - ƒ/8 - 1/640s - 600mm - Tripod and Gimbal - Natural Lighting
Fort Snelling State Park in Bloomington, Minnesota on 6-18-2014 at 7:00 PM
