Willet in seafoam

Gallery: AvianPosted March 22, 2010186 views26 comments

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

It will not be long before the Willets return here to Utah, they live in such different habitats here than I was used to seeing when I lived in Florida. I'm looking forward to seeing their return and photographing them.

This image was taken on the Gulf coast of Florida and I think it shows the subtle colors & beauty of the Willet very nicely.

D200, laying in the sand, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200, 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light, 64% of original image. I have provided the 1200 pixel version for evaluation of sharpness & details.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques. Thank you for looking.

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 22, 2010 at 9:51 AM

Very nice capture. A nice sharp photo with a beautiful BG. I also like the water splashing up around the feet and the position of the bird in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Clayton Musgrove on March 22, 2010 at 9:52 AM

Terrific shot Mia. I love the sea green background and the surf foam around it's legs. Makes me jealous, when I see these they are standing in dirty marsh water.
Clayton

Registered on February 6, 2010, 55 Posts, 235 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 22, 2010 at 9:55 AM

Mia, this is just superb. The colors here are wonderful, as is the foam breaking over the Willet's legs. great techs as always, great detail in the bird. The comp and color here are just perfect.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 22, 2010 at 9:59 AM

For me, it's all about the colors and textures in this one, Mia. Super angle as usual, but the bird's plumage textures and colors and the complimenting gulf water colors and textures make this an outstanding comp of a very common bird. Your signature, if I may say so. Very well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 22, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Mia, another very nice beach shot! I though for a minute, maybe you went back to visit Florida. Love the BG color of the ocean in this one. It goes well with this Willet.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on March 22, 2010 at 12:00 PM

Nice as usual Mia, and unique to me with the foam. Nice sharp detail in the bird and I like the color of the background and the water or foam splashing up around it's legs. I didn't notice the airborne foam particles which adds to the sense of movement, until I viewed the larger photo. Very nice!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 22, 2010 at 1:24 PM

Beautiful shot. The subtle colors, pose and sea foam mak this another excellent image1
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 22, 2010 at 1:44 PM

Excellent shot, Mia, as usual. I really like the subtle colors and the foam and droplets around the bird. Really nice!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 22, 2010 at 1:52 PM

It shows everything you said, Lia! Brilliant!

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 22, 2010 at 3:51 PM

Lovely image Mia - pose, detail, water colour, breaking wash - all good. You must have got just the right light angle, as the light seems bright, but not casting shadows like it so often does here. Crisply presented too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 22, 2010 at 5:09 PM

Gorgeous image. Love the soft colors and the splashing waves.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 22, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Delightful.

I can't get tired of seeing your Florida images.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on March 22, 2010 at 7:48 PM

Sharpness looks very good to me. Wonderful details, color, and I like the milky water as well.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 22, 2010 at 8:15 PM

Love the low angle, Mia. Also the color of the water at the bird's feet, which compliments the soft colors of the image.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 22, 2010 at 8:23 PM

Another virtuoso performance Mia. The light on the Willet and the gorgeous colors of the setting are just superb. I see why you're so surprised to see them on rocks out here...

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 22, 2010 at 9:10 PM

The amazing detail, wonderful light and color make this a very captivating image Mia. Simply beautiful.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on March 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM

Artistic Documentation I like this one Mia

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 22, 2010 at 11:49 PM

Very pretty, Mia. The color combination is particularly attractive. Also, I note that despite all the splashing, there is a notable lack of much specular reflection.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 23, 2010 at 12:35 AM

Your shots are immediately recognizable from the thumbnail. More than anyone else posting here in Avian, I think you have a signature style, as well as excellent skills. A superb shot.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on March 23, 2010 at 1:59 AM

Wonderful photo, Mia. Super sharpness and background color. Great timing in getting the waves as they hit the legs.

Those little vagrant drops add to the photo as well. Nicely captured.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 23, 2010 at 6:35 AM

Love the soft pastel tones Mia. Wonderful image quality and detail in the larger image

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on March 23, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Beautiful Mia. great detail. nice wave action around the legs. The light and colors are outstanding.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Roy Bailey on March 23, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Great looking bird, have always liked the tones in the plumage of these birds, big splash realy draws your eye to the bird and fabulous water colour.He deserves all the space he has been given.

Registered on November 16, 2008, 24 Posts, 486 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on March 23, 2010 at 4:54 PM

What more can I say?

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 23, 2010 at 8:34 PM

I picked this to be yours right away. I like how you almost can feel the salty water in the air

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on March 24, 2010 at 1:25 PM

Mia:
Yes, shows the subtle colors beautifully. I love the deep color of the water, the breaking water with the splash and spray, and the eye contact.

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