Long-billed Dowitcher

Gallery: AvianPosted March 13, 2011103 views14 comments

Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: March 11, 2011
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/640th, f/9, -1/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 83% of full frame (cropped to de-center dowitcher)
Unbaited, not set up

I wish this dowitcher had found a less messy spot so the background wouldn't be as busy, but I was happy it came so close while I sat in the open behind my lowered tripod at pond's edge.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger version if possilbe before commenting.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 13, 2011 at 12:51 PM

BG and habitat are fine with me in this. I like the nice lighting and excellent detail. Nice that he was still doing his thing, all the while knowing you were there. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on March 13, 2011 at 1:13 PM

What a gift having it come so close Rich, the background dosen't bother me at all. I like the natural setting/environment. I did just notice something though, since I'm one who dosen't hesitate to do a little cloning of small distracting things, if this were mine I would maybe clone out the two OOF stems sticking up from it's tail, but that's very minor and a personal preference thing. Nice exposure and detail, and I like the behavior pose you captured.

P.S. I just learned what a Long-billed Dowitcher looks like.
Your the master of bird I.D's

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

Comment posted by Sally King on March 13, 2011 at 3:13 PM

I had some of these walk close to me at White Water Draw last month but my light wasn't half as good as what you have captured. I love the messy stuff on his bill. Real life. The messy habitat too. I wouldn't bother with cloning those two little sticks. I don't think you're a cloner anyway. Very nice image.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 13, 2011 at 3:56 PM

Looks good to me Rich. Love the warm light and the nice detail with the small crop. Exposure looks spot on and I like the habitat.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 13, 2011 at 4:13 PM

I'm fine with it as posted, Richard. The bg is busy but the bird stands out so well against it that it's not an issue for me. I like that you've captured it with it's bill full too.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 13, 2011 at 5:29 PM

Nice closeup - make me feel down in the swamp with him.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 13, 2011 at 7:02 PM

Super sharp on the face and the rest is excellent to - jut wish that one twig wasn't in front of the bill

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 13, 2011 at 11:03 PM

I like this just as posted Rich. You found gorgeous light and captured him going about his business. The composition is excellent and I love the natural setting.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 14, 2011 at 6:43 AM

It's nice when they do the approaching rather than the opposite. Nice low angle and detail Richard.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 14, 2011 at 8:15 AM

Like the natural setting and light, a well composed closeup frame.
Excellent details

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 14, 2011 at 2:26 PM

I do not mind the messy environment since it shows their habitat, good light, details and composition and I like that you can see some food (tadpole?) in the bill, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 14, 2011 at 8:40 PM

Wonderful lighting Rich and I like your tight (for you) framing here. I wouldn't clone a thing. Very strong image IMO.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 14, 2011 at 9:27 PM

This is a great look at this Dowithcher, Richard. Excellent detail. Although the background may be a tad busy, the colors really compliment the Dowitcher well. Very nice image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 15, 2011 at 7:36 PM

great image RIchard

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments