FINALLY caught this guy!

[CourtSC]

could you please explain as to what you did to fix this picture?

Very nice shot -- I know how easily they spook. Consider that the photos could use a contrast boost, some tone balancing and some color correction. How about like this:

Joe

View attachment 70724

Sure. I downloaded the OP's photo from Photobucket. I checked the EXIF data to learn about the photo and how it was taken and processed. The OP used Lightroom or Photoshop ACR to process the photo and the process settings are stored in the EXIF data. I noted that the WB was set to "As shot" and the color temp was recorded as 5500 degrees K. Given the lighting condition in the photo 5500 degrees K is simply impossible and way off -- a classic camera auto white balance failure. The color temp for this photo was likely above 7000 degrees K. I knew then I had to warm the photo up substantially. I did that in Photoshop. Then I raised the contrast of the photo -- a lot. First I set a black point in Levels since that was missing. I prefer to raise contrast using a Soft Light blend in Photoshop so that I also have simultaneous control of the saturation level. With the black point set and the contrast raised the bird got too dark and the background too light so I lightened the bird by painting on a Screen blend and I darkened the background by painting on a Multiply blend.

Joe

So far above my head!

 

[CourtSC]

Is this at magnolia, i photographed the same bird

Nope! This one is right down the street from my house on Daniel Island!

 

[Ysarex122 116]

could you please explain as to what you did to fix this picture?

Sure. I downloaded the OP's photo from Photobucket. I checked the EXIF data to learn about the photo and how it was taken and processed. The OP used Lightroom or Photoshop ACR to process the photo and the process settings are stored in the EXIF data. I noted that the WB was set to "As shot" and the color temp was recorded as 5500 degrees K. Given the lighting condition in the photo 5500 degrees K is simply impossible and way off -- a classic camera auto white balance failure. The color temp for this photo was likely above 7000 degrees K. I knew then I had to warm the photo up substantially. I did that in Photoshop. Then I raised the contrast of the photo -- a lot. First I set a black point in Levels since that was missing. I prefer to raise contrast using a Soft Light blend in Photoshop so that I also have simultaneous control of the saturation level. With the black point set and the contrast raised the bird got too dark and the background too light so I lightened the bird by painting on a Screen blend and I darkened the background by painting on a Multiply blend.

Joe

So far above my head!

If I might make a suggestion; the best and biggest thing you could do right away is deal with the camera's auto white balance error. When the AWB function goes south it takes the whole JPEG processor with it. Get the WB set on camera and the camera JPEGs will improve substantially.

Joe