American Avocet

Gallery: AvianPosted April 17, 2011237 views23 comments

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: April 8, 2011
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick
Exposure: aperture priority center-weighted meter, ISO 400, 1/500th @ f/10
Raw, PSCS3 on Mac G4, 80% of frame

American Avocets have a fascinating mating ritual that begins with the female posturing with her bill at the water's surface. The male stands beside her and splashes water with his bill before mounting the female. As soon as he dismounts the pair perform a quick spiral with wings overlapping and bills intertwined. This is the second frame in a sequence I captured just over a week ago while sitting in the open at pond's edge.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. I hope you will take the time to view the larger version before commenting.

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on April 17, 2011 at 12:59 PM

This is great, Rich. You caught them both at just the right moment, and nailed the technical aspects. I like that they're both so sharp end to end. F10 was your friend.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 17, 2011 at 1:33 PM

Rich, you caught the perfect moment here - both birds in excellent position, both sharp, flying water, great BG, perfect colours and exposure - doesn't get much better than this.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 17, 2011 at 2:21 PM

It's nice that you got both in the frame and that there heads were more or less at the same distance to allow for good DOF. The one on the right is particularly interesting because it shows the curvature of the bill

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on April 17, 2011 at 2:35 PM

Richard as Sandy says you dont get much better than this excellent shot.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 17, 2011 at 2:39 PM

Sweet shot Rich. Love the action and your selection of f/10 to get the DOF for both birds. Really great colors, sharpness, and detail. Great overall comp. One of my favs of yours. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 17, 2011 at 2:49 PM

Brilliant capture, Richard. Not just great behavior but technically excellent, as well. The low angle takes it over the top.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 17, 2011 at 3:20 PM

Rich, it seems that I always love and find your avocets images very appealing, this one is no exception. It is excellent imo. Great poses & action, lovely natural colors, sharpness and details. The splashing water is just icing on the cake too. I'd be very happy with this photo in my files.

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

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on April 17, 2011 at 5:47 PM

Wow - absolutely stunning

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 17, 2011 at 6:01 PM

Love the splashing! Great behavior image!

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 17, 2011 at 6:41 PM

Super image, Richard. Great action and behavior, beautiful color and detail.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on April 18, 2011 at 5:11 PM

Great interaction, Rich!

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 18, 2011 at 7:27 PM

Rich, this is terrific. Love the interaction, the splashing, and head positions. Dynamite image.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 18, 2011 at 7:45 PM

Brilliant photo, Richard!

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

Comment posted by Kevin Colton on April 18, 2011 at 10:35 PM

Awesome Richard,
These guys (or Gals) are great. I wish we had them in Upstate New York, but that's what makes all this so much fun. Good Timing and the water shows all the movement. Great Capture.
Kevin

Registered on January 22, 2010, 5 Posts, 4 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 18, 2011 at 10:51 PM

This is fantastic, Rich, I like everything I see. The poses and behavior are great, the light and bg are sweet, the splashing water tops things off nicely. techs are excellent as always but especially your balance of DOF with just enough shutter speed to freeze the action.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 18, 2011 at 11:16 PM

A sweet behavior display nicely captured, great water splashing and detail in both birds. Very Nice Photo Richard

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 19, 2011 at 1:05 PM

Wonderful work Richard, you have something very special here

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 19, 2011 at 8:04 PM

Richard, how I wish to have had this photo op. Great capture, colors action and detail.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 20, 2011 at 12:03 PM

Richard,
Sorry, I missed this for several days and just saw it after scrolling through the forum. I love this ritual as you've described. What I particularly like about this shot is that the female is facing you. I have seen many of these shots but they are usually side views or back views and this frontal positioning is so much better. Very good details particularly while using a 2x converter. Great water splash and water color. Very nice image Richard.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on April 20, 2011 at 4:38 PM

Terrific behavior captured here and excellent IQ Rich. Your low angle is excellent. I've seen this part of the ritual quite a few times but don't have anything this good of it.

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

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on April 22, 2011 at 8:30 AM

Wonderful image !

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 22, 2011 at 5:10 PM

Back from vacation and I almost missed this one, wonderful action and I like the placement of the heads, one turned, one straight just above the water, good detail and color on the larger version, must of been fun to see this, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on May 25, 2011 at 8:52 AM

Hi Richard, I am very late to post on this image. I just finished going through all your recent posts and as always they are excellent. This particular image is smashing good. Love everything about it!!

Its a WOW.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments