Spotted Sandpiper

Gallery: AvianPosted January 12, 2012176 views18 comments

This sandpiper was grooming under a canopy cover and stopped to check out something that caught his attention. The image was taken at Sugar Bay in St.Thomas,USVI.

D3s
500mm f/4
TC-14II E
1/250s @ f/6.3
ISO 400
-1 2/3EV
Matrix metering

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 12, 2012 at 4:35 PM

I really like the light on the bird. Creates a nice mood, The pose is also very interesting. The OOF twigs or whatever they are right behind the bird (especially the one running through the bird) pulls me away. Maybe some selective burning of those would help solve that issue. nice image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 12, 2012 at 4:49 PM

Dramatic light and the fanned tail pose make this a very nice image. I agree that the image would be improved without the reeds or by burning them down a bit but IMO it's not a big deal. Very nice work.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 12, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Beautiful light, pose and surroundings here, including the rock and its reflection.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 12, 2012 at 5:33 PM

Chuck, I really like the feel of this. Looks like a painting. The reeds in the BG add to the images impact for me. However, I do wish the one did not go right through the bird's head. Given that, the image as posted works IMO.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 12, 2012 at 6:14 PM

An intriguing image. The light makes this dramatic. I've not seen the tail fanned on a Spotted Sandpiper before.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 12, 2012 at 8:02 PM

Skirts up! Really like this pose and your setting. The wash of light on the bird is nice, too. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 12, 2012 at 8:54 PM

Wonderful habitat you've captured the Sandpiper in. Excellent POV.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

Very moody shot with dramatic lighting. Composition is done well with the bird placed slightly to the left and looking right. The fanned tail really adds to the image. Well done.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on January 12, 2012 at 10:49 PM

Really strong image in my book Charles. Great pose and detail, and the emphasis of the light is where it needs to be on the subject.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 12, 2012 at 11:13 PM

Very cool spotlight effect in this image, Chuck. Beautiful low key image.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 13, 2012 at 12:05 AM

I really like this a lot. The light is falling perfectly and revealing great detail in the bird. Personally I think the highlighted reeds in the background are lovely. Perhaps not as strategically placed as one would like.

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

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 13, 2012 at 7:45 AM

This is a really neat shot of a sandpiper! Super dramatic....the lighting is incredible & the pose is great! I agree....maybe some selective burning at the top of the image could improve it a little.

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 13, 2012 at 10:11 AM

I like the subtle light on the bird and the bg too. I would think a tighter crop would be nice too. Love the position and fanned tail. My eye keeps going to that reflective spot right side of top of the screen

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 13, 2012 at 2:51 PM

I LOVE this! Such a wonderful pose, very unique looking shot, and it really gives a wonderful feel for habitat.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 13, 2012 at 8:14 PM

Wonderful pose Charles, love the dramatic filtered light on this interesting scene.
Well done & have a great weekend!

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

Comment posted by dan elster on January 14, 2012 at 6:14 PM

Beautiful habitat and lighting. Love it, love it, love it.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 15, 2012 at 10:40 AM

Very nice Chuck - I love the pose and the setting.
May

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 21, 2012 at 9:20 AM

Whoaa! I didn't see this one until just now. An excellent shot. The subtle lighting is spectacular and I like the background reeds - they add to the natural setting but aren't too obtrusive either. Very well done Chuck!

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