Pacific Golden Plover

Gallery: AvianPosted July 31, 2012157 views11 comments

I had the incredible opportunity to explore and photograph the Seward Peninsula around Nome Alaska this spring. One afternoon, while spending some quaity time with a nesting pair of long-tailed jaegers, this beautiful male golden plover showed up for a quick visit. My time in the sub-arctic region was extra-ordinary and I am eagerly looking forward to returning next June to continue the adventure.

Canon MKIV, 600mm, 1/1000, f6.3, ISO 640, full frame

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Ken Archer

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on July 31, 2012 at 6:29 PM

Ken,
What a neat looking bird. Looks like a tough bird to expose for what with both the blacks and the whites and you pulled it off beautifully. The tundra foreground retreating to a fine blur in the background appeals to me. I can see why you want to go back. Bucket list for me. Man is that list getting long.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 31, 2012 at 6:55 PM

A very nice job on this Plover, Ken. I know from experience they are not easy to approach in breeding season. On the golf courses in Hawaii, it's another story. It would be great if you could tease a bit more detail out of the black, especially in the belly, but that's hard to do without blowing the whites. Classic habitat, too.

I'm waiting to see your Bristle-thighed Curlew shots.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 31, 2012 at 7:46 PM

A fine capture Ken. I like seeing the bird in breeding plumage, by the time they make it down here they are almost all in non-breeding.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 31, 2012 at 8:38 PM

A lovely bird and setting. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on July 31, 2012 at 9:10 PM

Great looking bird and very nice setting, Ken. Exposure looks spot on. Perhaps a little more space in the bottom would make the image better. Looks like you had a great trip.

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

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on July 31, 2012 at 10:05 PM

Ken, great shot of a beautiful bird. I'd like to see more of its wing, back & head feathers. Looks like there's some lovely gold or yellow mixed in with the black & white which we can't fully appreciate from this angle.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 1, 2012 at 12:43 PM

Beautiful bird in a great environment.
Nice exposure and love the pink flowers. A touch of Viveza's help to the dark areas would add some detail.
Excellent shot!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 1, 2012 at 5:43 PM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, you have convinced me to pay closer attention to the details in the blacks, I may have lost some details converting the image to fit this forum, we'll see what happens.

Ken

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 1, 2012 at 7:01 PM

That is quite an interesting color pattern and dividing line that really stands out on this bird. The larger image looks great to me, well done.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 2, 2012 at 8:38 AM

Excellent shot, love the habitat surrounding the Plover. Nice details of the bird.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 2, 2012 at 9:13 AM

I sure wish I could travel there Ken, sounds like a great adventure..
Tough exposure scenario. Looks like the bird may have been turned away from the light slightly, but you still managed the B&W plumage well. Really like this sub-arctic tundra setting, and the bits of pink & green.
Lovely bird - Well done

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