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Canon EOS 70D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens, 1/200 second @ f/4.5, ISO 640.

This week the challenge was to take a portrait of a domestic bird.

This is somewhat out of my comfort zone. I normally shoot wild birds (I’m quite fond of hihis) at Zealandia. My back-up plan was to shoot the takahē on Sunday. They’re basically domesticated. However, one of Melissa’s dancing friends has a pair of canaries. So we wandered over there, armed with all the kit. I set up my flash into an umbrella, and pointed it at the birds (you can see the catchlights in the eyes). I know that the challenge said “use natural diffused light if you can”, but it’s easier to just use a flash, especially in dim light with flighty birds. I shoved the macro’s lens hood right up to the cage and fired away. I quite like this shot because it makes the canary look a little like a chicken, which I find amusing.