Wilson's Snipe

Gallery: AvianPosted July 30, 2010221 views19 comments

Another image from our trip to Red Rock Lakes NWR in SW Montana last month. This is a large crop and I didn't have a whole lot of light but this is the closest I've ever been to the species and my cleanest view so I thought I'd see what you think.

I was surprised by how much more drab the colors were on the wings and sides as compared to those on the back. There's a tiny spider crawling down one of the legs and a bit of fine debris stretched between the mandibles.

Larger version provided

7D, 1/640, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 5/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 6/19/10, cropped to 45% of original image, sharpened bird and perch, NR to background, no other adjustments or processing, natural light

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 30, 2010 at 5:39 PM

Congrats on getting it in the open and with the open bill a fine shot. No nits.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 30, 2010 at 6:41 PM

You did well for a 45% crop. No nits here, either.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 30, 2010 at 6:43 PM

All round fine image Ron - I especially like the calling pose.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 30, 2010 at 6:44 PM

No nits. Very nice composition.

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

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on July 30, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Nice composition and details. Love the open beak.

When I was a kid, I would have to hunt Snipes during camping trips using a large paper bag and a flash light. Never did catch one.

Nicely done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on July 30, 2010 at 6:56 PM

Ron, to me 45% is not that big of a crop especially on the 7D. I think this is awesome image quality. As usual from you. I would love to have this shot in my files. Great pose, nice light, and a wonderful BG. Love the slanted, weathered post. Well done IMO.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 30, 2010 at 8:58 PM

Nice capture Ron-the crop doesn't hurt this image at all, IMO. Love the weathered post and the BG-cool action with the open bill.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 30, 2010 at 9:55 PM

I like the open bill and the colors, Ron. No nits from me. Fine shot.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 31, 2010 at 12:05 AM

Wonderful lines and palette, Ron. A very strong composition.

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

Comment posted by Scott Anderson on July 31, 2010 at 12:24 AM

Very nice, sharp image. I like the detail on the wings. Interesting seeing the bill open like that.

Registered on July 1, 2009, 30 Posts, 181 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on July 31, 2010 at 5:42 AM

Anhoter excellent performance. Like a lot comp. The slope of perch give dynamysm IMO.
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 31, 2010 at 7:06 AM

Love it Ron - nice deatil, background and calling pose
cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on July 31, 2010 at 3:14 PM

Whilst I also agree with everyone how nice this is, I like the spider!

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

Comment posted by May Haga on July 31, 2010 at 4:31 PM

Very nice Ron. I have been running into these guys all summer. This morning I had one that was pretty much full frame but he hardly opened his mouth to call. This guy is really giving a nice open bill call.
May.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 31, 2010 at 6:11 PM

Ron,

I love the great calling pose this bird gave us, the lovely colors in the background, slanted post and the little spider on the leg. I do wish the snipe had stayed put a little longer! Details, sharpness and comp all look fine to me. Love the catchlight and the wonderful natural colors.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 31, 2010 at 10:01 PM

So I'm not the only one who finds that these guys have a safety zone of about 75 yards! This profile view really shows the unusual jaw arrangement on this species. The markings on the back are attractive and show up nicely here. Good job catching him calling.

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

Comment posted by Matt Taylor on August 1, 2010 at 6:33 AM

Nice detail and I like the pose that you have caught him/her in
Matt

Registered on July 31, 2010, 5 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on August 1, 2010 at 10:01 AM

Beautiful shot, Ron!

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

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on August 2, 2010 at 7:41 PM

Wonderful Capture
Excellent Photography

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