Willet Grooming

Gallery: AvianPosted April 29, 2012268 views19 comments

This is the same bird from my earlier Willet post. After enjoying a breakfast crustacean the bird began to groom. Here I had a little better light as the sun had just broken above the horizon.

Not baited, called, or staged in any way.

D3s
500mm F/4 VR-II
TC-14E II
1/800s @ f/7.1
ISO 1000
0EV
Spot Metered
Gitzo w/Wimberley II

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 29, 2012 at 8:23 PM

That's a neat, preening pose and I like the inclusion of the whole reflection here Chuck. You get just enough of the eye so that it works.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 29, 2012 at 10:25 PM

Excellent. I like the simple graphics of this and the nice feather detail.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 30, 2012 at 9:38 AM

Super shot Chuck. Really wonderful in all aspects. Well done!

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 30, 2012 at 10:37 AM

Absolutely gorgeous. Wonderful light, beautiful, simple composition.

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

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on April 30, 2012 at 3:07 PM

Very nice pose with reflection and calm water. Excellent sharpness and detail.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 30, 2012 at 10:44 PM

You caught the perfect moment here - plus great detail, a nice reflection, and the subtle ripple.
Nice!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 1, 2012 at 1:47 AM

I'm not usually a fan of preening shots, Chuck, but this is very, very good. Wonderful detail and light, a graceful position and the half-reflection adds a nice accent. You've turned a drab grey bird into a supermodel. Amazing.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 1, 2012 at 8:59 PM

It doesn't always work out esthetically, or technically for me when attempting to catch preening behavior (it can just end up looking all contorted, can't tell what is going on). In this case the result is indeed very successful, good work. You even got the full reflection here, and it's straight.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 2, 2012 at 6:05 AM

Great detail and a wonderfully peaceful setting Charles

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on May 3, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Beautiful capture. Gorgeous light. Looks so peaceful, even with the action of the grooming. Nice comp with the bird's reflection and all.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 8, 2012 at 8:01 PM

Very nice image Chuck. Love the reflection.
May

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 9, 2012 at 12:22 PM

Nice WP! Congrats!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 9, 2012 at 8:54 PM

Excellent image Chuck, huge congrats on the WP!

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 9, 2012 at 10:34 PM

Big time congrats on both the fine shot and the WP Chuck!

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on May 10, 2012 at 3:34 PM

Wonderful! Love the light and the details. Congratulations, well deserved.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 10, 2012 at 8:52 PM

Cool image. Congrats on the EP

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 10, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Thanks all for your very kind comments. I'm honored and humbled by the recognition.

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on May 13, 2012 at 2:13 AM

Cool shot Chuck. Great detail and great pose well captured. Congrats on weekly pick.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 24, 2012 at 7:12 AM

One of the coolest preening type shots I've seen Charles, hat's off to ya!

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