Comment from supergold
did you offer him a coffee or at least a cookie: he would certainly appreciate;
sharp focus but the bg is not helping you; difficult to differentiate from the black head;

 Comment Written 10-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Sep-2016

Thanks again Fred ☺ Mary

Comment from Sean T Phelan
Hi Mary!
That's a good looking work of candid Avian Portraiture,my friend,and an interesting bird ( with a fascinating name ) as well!
'Good Show'!
~Sean

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Thanks Sean, they were very common in Queensland and apparently eat lots of insects so useful in the garden - also have an amazing song. :)

reply by Sean T Phelan on 07-Sep-2016

I wonder where their name comes from,Mary?

Comment from PeglegDeb
lol...how delightful he is Mary.

The ever so slight tilt of his head....wonderful sparkle in his eye. Marvelous focus on the cute little intruder. Perhaps he likes coffee?? I wonder why he's known as 'Butcher Bird?'

Regardless of why you've managed a marvelous photo of the little fellow. Nicely done.

Deborah

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Thanks so much Deborah, apparently so called as they spear the insects with the prong on the end of the beak - they have a beautiful song though :)

reply by PeglegDeb on 07-Sep-2016

lol...Oh my...well that would be a good reason then Mary. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

Comment from Alveria
Awww, how cute this little guy is. Good clarity with nice catch light in his eye. Great initial impact. Would love to have coffee with this little cute little guy. :) ~Alveria

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Thanks so much Alveria, appreciate your positive and encouraging feedback. :) Mary

Comment from michiganmike
We have a bird that is also called a butcher bird for his habit of impaling his prey (mostly insects) on the thorns of trees. He does not look like this one though. A nice shot with good exposure for the whites and fine detail in the eye.

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Thanks Mike - there are a couple of varieties in eastern Australia the Grey backed and the Pied think they are similar to yours in that they eat insects spearing them with the hook on end of beak. :) Mary

Comment from Paul G.
You have much better luck with birds than I do. it seems that they fly off the moment my camera goes up.

What a treat. Look at the eye. Such wonderful detail. Excellent focus. So well done. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Wow thanks so much Paul, really appreciate the high rating and feedback. :) Mary

Comment from Joelgraphuchin
What a shot. Love his eye. It seems questioning on what you are doing to him with your equipment. Focus is superb. Details of him are well captured.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Thanks Joel, I really appreciate your positive feedback. :) Mary

Comment from Dick Lee Shia
A cute & candid capture!!
Forlorn countenance.
A dichromatic presentation but not yet a chiaroscuro effect.
Fine features & textures.
Sharply focused. Subtle illumination. Thanks for sharing...

 Comment Written 06-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2016

Thanks Dick, appreciate your positive and encouraging words. :) Mary