Black-necked Stilt

Gallery: AvianPosted September 15, 2010106 views16 comments

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: January 1, 2006
Equipment: Nikon D70, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), tripod, SB-800 flash
Exposure: ISO 200, aperture priority matrix metered, -0.3 ec, 1/125 @ f/13, fill @ -1.7
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, moderate crop

I first posted this here in 2006, just three days after taking it. That was in the days of my first digital camera, PS Elements, and 600 pixels on the long side at NPN. I wanted a larger version for my web site so I started over in PS CS3 and decided to post it here in larger form.

I like the shot because I rarely see this species swimming. I wish the red of the eye showed better but otherwise I'm happy with the image.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger version for critical comments.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 15, 2010 at 9:56 PM

This is a great image with excellent detail in the feathers-especially the blacks. I have been "chasing" these birds for the last 2 months, but I haven't gotten close enough to get a fine image like this one. How did you get this close? So glad you decided to repost.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on September 15, 2010 at 9:57 PM

Very nice capture. First time I have ever seen one floating in the water

Nice job......

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 15, 2010 at 10:01 PM

An awesome photo of this bird swimming which is seldom seen. Looks like you processed this one perfectly - awesome exposure and lots of detail.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 15, 2010 at 10:08 PM

How did you get this close?

It was a lucky day at the Water Ranch. I was walking along with fellow photographer Cindy Marple when I noticed this bird a bit ahead of us off the trail we were on. I got the tripod low and slowly moved forward to a gap in the shrubs along the path.

In the past slits and avocets have been fairly easy here for close shots. All that was needed was to sit quietly behind a low tripod at water's edge at Pond 5 with the early morning sun and the birds would often come in close enough for head shots. But condition at the Water Ranch haven't been all that good for the last couple of years.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 15, 2010 at 10:24 PM

Awesome job on the exposure, Richard. I like the quality of the water and the broken reflections.

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

Comment posted by Scott Day on September 15, 2010 at 11:14 PM

I've never seen one swimming before. Nice photo with good detail.

Registered on August 5, 2008, 25 Posts, 173 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on September 16, 2010 at 8:09 AM

The larger version really shows this bird off. Its exquisite, imo. All the techs are right on, but then you used a flash. The color of the water and the ripples and the seeming indifference of the bird all go to make this a fine image.
I wonder if the bird is swimming or simple floating with its feet on the bottom. I've seen white egrets do this and although it looks like they're swimming, they're wading. Doesn't matter either way. Just a thought.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on September 16, 2010 at 8:19 AM

It's come up very nicely Richard - like the settled pose and eye contact. Nice detail in the larger image

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 16, 2010 at 10:28 AM

I think your self critique hit it on the nose for me Richard. Excellent job on the exposure and I am also glrad you re-poseted this. I think I have only seen a swimming shot of these guys one other time.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 16, 2010 at 1:27 PM

I think this is great Rich. Love the fact that the bird is swimming. I see these just about every day here in FL and I don't think I have seen them swim more than 5 times. That makes this image for me.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on September 16, 2010 at 5:42 PM

Very interesting and different, Rich. I've never seen one swimming, can just imagine those long, gangly legs trying to make headway

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on September 17, 2010 at 12:25 PM

Excellent work with impressive lighting and details

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on September 18, 2010 at 8:39 AM

Nice work Richard, like that reflection and the pose overall.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 18, 2010 at 1:09 PM

Richard,
excellent image as usual. The swimming pose makes this special.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 19, 2010 at 10:35 AM

Rich,

I have always enjoyed each of your stilt images for various reasons and of course for the technical quality your photos always seem to have. I had not seen this posted before and I am very glad you reworked it and posted it again, of all your stilt images this has risen to the top of my favorites. I especially love how relaxed this bird is in your presence, for me that gives a very peaceful feeling when viewing.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on September 23, 2010 at 9:58 AM

I have never seen this species swimming so this is a well captured moment.
May

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