American Avocet

Gallery: AvianPosted May 30, 2009543 views23 comments

I inadvertently walked through the nesting area of these avocets. I was rather horrified when I looked down and saw a nest containing 4 eggs. The females were not on the nest but were all feeding when I arrived. However, this female came back and stood there spreading her wings. I really liked the background of the alkali encrusted vegetation, the colors matching the bird and the pose. My husband thought it was all too busy. What do you think?

Nikon D300, tripod, 80-400 VT lens at 270, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 200

Thanks for looking and critiques and comments appreciated.

May

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 30, 2009 at 9:57 AM

I think you've captured this behaviour very well, and whilst the image may be busy, this shows a good choice of breeding ground.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 30, 2009 at 10:23 AM

This is really nice, and I like the vegetation, too. The larger version looks even better. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by bill meikle on May 30, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Bird is gorgeous, maybe darken the background a little?

Registered on May 21, 2006, 173 Posts, 663 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on May 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Wouldn't change a thing May. I like this just as posted with good action and environment.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on May 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM

I don't think it is too busy. It is a very good shot of an interesting environment. My first thought was that the bird was loosing its balance on that uneven and rough ground and so spread its wings for balance. I like it as is.

Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Loomis on May 30, 2009 at 1:05 PM

Gorgeous bird. Your capture is pure magic . . . almost walks off the page. Being something of a curmudgeon I rather like the natural setting, even if it is a bit busy. Nicely done.

Registered on August 20, 2008, 24 Posts, 105 Comments

Comment posted by Angie Chappell on May 30, 2009 at 3:17 PM

Beautiful post and ligthing May!!

I think it works really well.

Registered on April 9, 2009, 11 Posts, 247 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on May 30, 2009 at 3:29 PM

I am so extremely jealous! I have never even seen an Avocet! Love it as posted!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Mack Barham on May 30, 2009 at 4:57 PM

I like the spread wings and the curved bill!

Registered on August 12, 2005, 537 Posts, 1107 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on May 30, 2009 at 6:57 PM

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous and not too busy at all.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 30, 2009 at 6:58 PM

I like the pose of the bird and the surrounding enviroment. Nice colors as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 30, 2009 at 8:31 PM

Ditto Hans comment.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 30, 2009 at 11:55 PM

I like this a lot May, beautiful lighting, nice pose and very interesting and different habitat.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 31, 2009 at 1:02 AM

Not too busy for me May. I whole heartedly agree with you about the colors working wonderfully together. It looks so calm, not a ripple in the water and the lighting is very soft and flattering for the plumage detail and colors on this very cool species (a bird I have no photos of and a definite "target species" for me).

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 31, 2009 at 6:38 AM

Great capture May

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen on May 31, 2009 at 7:48 AM

I like the surrounding environment, the pose and the light. It works for me, not too busy for me either.

Registered on November 11, 2007, 42 Posts, 803 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 31, 2009 at 1:49 PM

I like it, May. The pose is great and the salt encrustations add some neat texture. The light is wonderful.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on May 31, 2009 at 2:04 PM

It may be a little busy but it's what you had to work with. I think you got an excellent picture of a cool bird in a nice pose.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM

Big congrats on the WP May! I missed this shot while I was mostly out of contact with NPN for a while. My loss, but I'm very glad to see it now - it's wonderful.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 2, 2009 at 3:23 AM

What a thrilling shot, May! It's absolutely gorgeous in its depiction of a bird in its environment. And no, in this case not too busy; it all works very well. Congratulations on the EP for this winner of an image.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Rosemarie Arbur on June 2, 2009 at 7:20 AM

The background works for me, May. Lovely delicate texture on the avocet.

Registered on March 19, 2008, 189 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on June 5, 2009 at 6:12 PM

Real nice May. Glad I found this one too.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 5, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Beautiful work May, really like this pose. Not too busy in this photographers opinion.
I like the matching colors and added interest of this crusty stuff

Very well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments