Black-bellied Plover

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 201071 views9 comments

Canon 7D, 500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC. Handheld

1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 400. Evaluative metering, -2/3 EC

Crop to 59% (10.6 of 18 MP)

Yet another shorebird from Puerto Penasco. I wanted to get good shots of as many species as I could on this trip. I had the advantage of having birded here a number of times before, and had a good sense for where I'd find each species, so I was able to focus on working on them one at a time. I'd love to get a nice shot of this species with the wings raised up, showing the black in the axillaries, but this one will do for now.

I like the raised foot, the big shiny eye, and how well the bird stands out. I do think it would have benefited from a lower angle.

Comments and critiques appreciated.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 24, 2010 at 10:46 PM

Very nice, though I wish the head wasn't in front of that rock

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Opper on March 25, 2010 at 12:01 AM

This is nice and sharp, especially given the long focal range being hand held. I also think the exposure is just right with the highlights not being blown out. Nice DOF. These Plovers are cute!

Registered on December 5, 2008, 10 Posts, 52 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 25, 2010 at 7:34 AM

Brian, I agree with your assessment of this shot. The angle was the first thing I thought about after admiring the bird. A lower angle would have improved this image, but it is still nice and sharp, with a great look at the bird.

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

Comment posted by denise ippolito on March 25, 2010 at 12:11 PM

This is one of my favorite shorebirds species to photograph. I like the raised foot and the details look good. I do think a lower angle would be better. I also wish for more of a head turn. Still the plumage looks good and I like that you kept the whites white.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 25, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Brian,
another beautiful capture of shorebirds. I especially like the pose with one leg up, the excellent detail and the setting too. Well done!!

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 25, 2010 at 9:01 PM

The nice little catchlight in the eye combined with the one-foot-up pose and lovely detail and color make this a very attractive image, Brian.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 25, 2010 at 11:18 PM

I agree with you on the angle Brian, other than that I think it's a fine image of this species.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 26, 2010 at 12:50 AM

Lovely and sharp Brian and I agree about the foot. Also agree about the lower angle - I always try to photograph waders while flat on the ground (or mud)

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 28, 2010 at 9:38 PM

Brian,

While I agree with you that a angle may have been better, I think this is a great pose and I like the profile view of the head. Black-bellied Plovers are great fun to photograph and interesting in that it looks like two different species when you compare their breeding & nonbreeding plumage. Nice sharpness & details and I find the setting very appealing.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments