American Avocet (lifer)

Gallery: AvianPosted September 11, 2011156 views14 comments

I've been actively photograping birds for close to ten years, from eastern Texas to the tip of Florida, and not once have I ever seen this species. And wouldn't you know it - yesterday, in my own home town (Gulfport, MS) I finally got the chance. For most of the time the bird was in the distance browsing next to a rock jetty, but occasionally would come out in the open for some decent images. This is one of about four or five that I got while in the open. A bit tight but I liked the pose. Full frame. Larger image included.

Olympus E-3 ZD300 +EC20 Wimberley I, ISO 400 1/2500 f6.3 -0.3EV sunny late afternoon light

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on September 11, 2011 at 10:24 AM

Congratulations on finally photographing the Avocet. I'd like to get one myself. I like this photo: good pose, background, color, detail, catch light. Way to go.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 11, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Congrats on the life bird. This is a fun species. Good pose; nice catchlight.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 11, 2011 at 12:28 PM

Just excellent. Not too large in the frame at all. Nice low angle, good detail and catchlight .

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on September 11, 2011 at 1:33 PM

Nice diaganol pose -- picture draws your eyes from the tail to that nicely upturned btll just above the water

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on September 11, 2011 at 7:31 PM

Nice one. Love the pose, the foot position, and the diagonal in the frame. Perfect exposure and great details. Congrats on a neat find!

Registered on September 1, 2011, 35 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on September 11, 2011 at 7:42 PM

The details in the white feathers and in those gray legs are incredible. Love that the bill is slightly open with the water droplet in it. The rich blue water really accentuates the bird. An excellent image of your lifer IMO.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on September 11, 2011 at 8:08 PM

Congratulations, excellent image all the way around, love the pose and the low angle.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 11, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Congrats on a lifer and you made the most of it. Usually when us photographers see a species for the first time it's hard to get the shot we are after but I think you succeeded here.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 12, 2011 at 5:40 PM

Very nice Bill. A great pose with the foot up and bill down. Your exposure and focus look right on. I love the water BG. Really a well executed shot.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on September 12, 2011 at 9:42 PM

Very nice Bill. Congratulations on getting a lifer.
May

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 12, 2011 at 9:42 PM

Nice one, Bill. The comp you have chosen exploits this pose to the maximum. Great detail in the feathers. Good for you.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on September 12, 2011 at 10:23 PM

Congrats on the lifer, Bill. I have seen these but never had the chance to photograph them. You did a very nice job. Great pose and excellent job on the exposure.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 13, 2011 at 5:58 PM

Wow, way to go Bill, excellent pose and detail, great job getting this shot, the larger image was a pleasure to view.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 18, 2011 at 9:34 PM

Lovely shot Bill, great lighting and the raised foot and beak filtering water add a lot

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