Snowy Plover

Gallery: AvianPosted February 6, 2011335 views14 comments

Charadrius alexandrius

I've sat on this image (not literally) since December of 2008 because I wasn't sure about it so I'd really appreciate your input.

The snowy plover had been bathing and after it finished it lifted up and shook off the water. This was taken in afternoon light and I like the angle of the light. I composed this so that the plover was small in the frame because there are times I think that shows well just how small these birds are and I really didn't want to crop much more or risk losing detail.

I had the whole reflection but it was shown in and out of the foreground tidal mud and didn't look all that appealing to me with more of it left in the bottom of the frame.

I love the pose of the snowy and the head angle, I wonder if I left too much space on the left side of the frame but it seemed logical to me to leave it there because that was the direction the bird went after this pose.

I like this image but feel I need the input of other bird photographers.

D200, f6.3, handheld, 1/1000, ISO 200, 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, 49% of the original frame. larger version provided.

As always I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques on my images. Thanks in advance for your input on this one.

*edited because of a typo

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 6, 2011 at 9:19 AM

I really like the comp on this and the pose of the bird. And, I like the inclusion of some of the mud bubbles. I do wonder if this may need just a little ccw rotation. As usual your exposure and perspective is excellent. I'm glad you're not sitting on it anymore!

Sharon

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 6, 2011 at 9:24 AM

Mia, I like your idea of leave the bird somewhat small in the frame to show how small this species is. I too like the angle of light and the bird's pose. Comp works fine for me. Nice exposure and sharpness too.

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 6, 2011 at 9:24 AM

Poor little thing !
Mia, I think it reprsents very well the actual behaviour of this little bird in his natural habitat.
I like the light very much.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 6, 2011 at 11:10 AM

I think this is how I'd have presented it also, Mia.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 6, 2011 at 1:32 PM

I like the image. The action is a real plus. It is sharp with a very good background and dof.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 6, 2011 at 2:07 PM

I like the pose, location, and light. The composition works but would also be nice tightened up a bit.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 6, 2011 at 3:46 PM

Lovely composition and interesting pose.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 6, 2011 at 6:40 PM

I like your idea of leaving the bird appear small Mia, not being familiar with this species it gives me a better idea of it's size. I like the pose you captured and it definitely has a cute quality to it.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 6, 2011 at 8:28 PM

It's o.k. as posted, Mia. However, I find myself wanting to see more of this little bird in this very special action pose. I think that trumps appreciating the small size of the bird. I'm not sure that you have the detail in the original to support a tighter crop though. I'm not concerned about the effect of the crop (which I think is not an issue). I am concerned about sufficient detail in the original. The feathers of this little bird seem to be very fine and it was in pretty vigorous motion. If you magnify the original and see detail that you like then I'd go for the tighter crop and more bird in the frame. Otherwise, I'd let it be.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 6, 2011 at 8:47 PM

Hmmmm, tough call Mia. Works quite well as is and nothing to fault really. The background water is perhaps a bit dark/murky. The pose is very cute.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 7, 2011 at 8:02 AM

Your comp does emphasize the birds small size, it works for me.
Wonderful pose and POV, great light!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 7, 2011 at 12:12 PM

I like your decision to leave the bird rather small in the frame. It's size related to the mud helps give some visual reference as to the size of the snowy plover. Of course all the technical's are spot on so nothing out of the ordinary there. Glad you decided to bring this one to the light of day.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 7, 2011 at 3:44 PM

Mia,
I like this as posted. Very cute pose.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 9, 2011 at 1:35 AM

Nice one Mia - very dynamic pose. Works well
cheers
Rob

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