Curlew Courtship

Gallery: AvianPosted August 30, 2011202 views17 comments

I have been after the courtship behavior of curlews for a long long time. At last, on the last day of our Malheur trip this spring I came acrros this pair foraging together within photographable range. After a half hour or so with them, the male starting courting the female, I watched and photographed the whole incredible ordeal. This image was one of the highlights of my time with them.

Canon Mark IV, 600mm & 1.4x, 1/2500, f9, ISO 800, manual spot meter,
cropped vertical from horizontal format

All comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Ken Archer

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on August 30, 2011 at 6:14 PM

Spectacular shot. I'm envious.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 30, 2011 at 6:26 PM

Really nice Ken. The action is great. Both birds look nice in the larger image and I like the habitat. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on August 30, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Sweet action shot, Ken. Nice job getting them both in focus. Very nice light on both birds. Your patience in waiting paid off. Great image.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 30, 2011 at 8:36 PM

Wow that is nice! Low angle and great background!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 30, 2011 at 8:44 PM

Love the detail, light, exposure and action you captured in this one Ken., Great work!

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 30, 2011 at 9:34 PM

Excellent, Ken. I like the angle and the relative positions of the birds. Nice and crisp, too.

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on August 30, 2011 at 10:05 PM

Wonderful interaction shot, Ken. Great view of the underwing. Excellent POV and comp. Not so sure about the background - looks like a tent or a vehicle (?). But the moment more than makes up for it.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on August 30, 2011 at 10:33 PM

Cool behavioral shot Ken, fine detail as well.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 30, 2011 at 11:10 PM

Sweet action Ken, the female doesn't look too impressed with his antics

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on August 31, 2011 at 6:39 AM

Ken, nothing I could add to the comments already made. Just a great shot. Congrats

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on August 31, 2011 at 6:59 AM

Ken, a unique shot! Tough to get them both sharp & I like the background.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on August 31, 2011 at 2:03 PM

Ken,
Great choice of aperture to get both of these sharp. Great wing position of the male coming in. Female looks like she would rather be some where else. Beautiful colors and terrific composition. The only distracting thing is the light colored line coming out of the males head and going off the left side of the canvas. I'm truly jealous that you got this Ken. Never even seen it let alone captured it on film. Congrats to you. Love to see more of this.

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on August 31, 2011 at 2:20 PM

Hi Ken.
Ken i am impressed how you have got both irds so sharp it really is good!

Keith.

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

Comment posted by denise ippolito on August 31, 2011 at 5:26 PM

Ken, Beautiful action captured! I would be tempted to blend the white line in the BG but that sort of thing is not for everyone. Nice job!

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 2, 2011 at 10:49 AM

Pretty amazing action Ken. Beautiful image.
May

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

Comment posted by Marlise Launstein on September 2, 2011 at 11:53 PM

WOW!!!

This is incredible! I love how sharp the birds are and the way you caught the male in the air. The soft background makes everything stand out. I want to get something like this some day!

Registered on August 31, 2011, 28 Posts, 175 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 18, 2011 at 7:47 AM

Brilliantly timed Ken, perfect exposure and DOF, very nicely done!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments