American Avocet

Gallery: AvianPosted May 30, 2010154 views14 comments

D300, 500mm f/4 + 1.7x tc, tripod
ISO 320, 1/1000 sec at f/6.7
Photo taken May 12, 2010 at St. Marks NWR, FL. The swirl of water was produced by a school of minnows. Three Avocets were actively fishing by submerging the partly open (curved) beak and rapidly swinging it horizontally, back and forth, through the school. I had never seen this feeding behavior.
I wish I could have gotten closer to the birds. Comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on May 30, 2010 at 8:41 PM

David love the moment and this has great light, good detail, sharpness, etc, etc. No nits from me.

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 30, 2010 at 9:16 PM

Sensational image Dave- I love the background and the water separated by the swirl completely across the frame. The minnow is a real bonus.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on May 30, 2010 at 9:35 PM

Great action and timing David. Wish he was turned this way just a bit.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 30, 2010 at 11:07 PM

Nice capture with good light and the bonus fish! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 30, 2010 at 11:41 PM

I like everything abut this one David. The colog of the BG really sets off the detail on the Avocet and the catch is a great bonus!

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on May 31, 2010 at 3:44 AM

Quite a catch for bird and photographer.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 31, 2010 at 4:47 AM

Nice comp and perspective David. I don't think I've ever seen an avocet with a fish

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Greg Cope on May 31, 2010 at 11:50 AM

Outstanding shot. The greens top off an already great shot of the bird and its meal

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 31, 2010 at 12:10 PM

Great angle, David. I like the water and the action, and you got excellent detail in the Avocet.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on May 31, 2010 at 3:11 PM

Another "WINNER" David. I'm jealous this has everything going in the right direction, congrats!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 31, 2010 at 6:27 PM

This is an amazing image Dave, I've never seen an avocet take a fish. Great low angle, water, bubbles, comp & colors.

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

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on May 31, 2010 at 8:29 PM

Just lovely David!

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 1, 2010 at 8:41 AM

Nice low angle and reflection. The fish is a great bonus!

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

Comment posted by David Chauvin on June 2, 2010 at 7:43 AM

What's not to like here? Great low angle, nice light and a bonus fish.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments