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B.Oystercatcher's Lunch
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B.Oystercatcher's Lunch

by Terry Sohl

Gallery: AvianPosted December 22, 2010113 views7 comments
My only goal when I eventually retire is to catch up and process all my photos. Processed a ton of Black Oystercatcher photos over the past week that I hadn't gotten to yet. They're from 2 spots, Haystack Rock, at Cannon Beach, Oregon (where this one was taken), and Sutro Baths in San Francisco.

Had a blast at both locations, but especially for 2 days here at Cannon Beach. Low tide was early in the morning, there wasn't anyone around for the first hour or so that I started shooting, and the birds were very cooperative. These guys had a nest higher up on the rock where one bird sat, but it seemed there was always one bird foraging low among the tidal pools. Weren't shy at all either, and I certainly got a lifetime supply of Black Oystercatcher shots those 2 days.

Canon 50D, 400 5.6L, ISO 400, 1/1300, f7.1. No flash since I'd smashed it on the rocks earlier in the trip. Might post more of these guys later.

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 23, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Terry,
the bird stands out very well from the clear background, the pose with the shell in the beak is great and the setting is beautiful. Brilliantly done. :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 23, 2010 at 1:50 PM
nice, Terry. I really like oystercatchers. I like the shell in the bill, the good looking blacks, and the good habitat. Don't know how much you've cropped but I might take a bit off the bottom to minimize the oof portion.
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 23, 2010 at 2:00 PM
Terry

I must have been at Cannon Beach the wrong time of the year, I had hoped to see this species but didn't.

Nice exposure, lovely setting and eye contact. Is that a Limpet in the bill? It sure adds interest to an already fine image.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by dan elster on December 23, 2010 at 3:58 PM
better than any black oyster catcher I've gotten on the Oregon coast, and I live here! Very nice shot and I like the mossy, lichen covered rocks too. :toast:
Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 23, 2010 at 5:16 PM
I like this a lot as posted - very natural colors and setting. I second Brian's suggestion about the OOF bottom edge.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on December 23, 2010 at 5:31 PM
Nice setting, great detail, Terry. I like this image very much !
For sure the limpet in the bill of the bird adds interest to the image :toast:
Cheers.
Mauro
Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 24, 2010 at 1:34 PM
The barnacle encrusted rocks and seaweed setting make this one for me Terry, lovely shot. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments