Avocet Mom and New Chick

Gallery: AvianPosted June 5, 2013305 views10 comments

Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto (Tiotally wild)
Mom is upset at the nearby gulls, who often steal chicks -

D300s
500mm
1/200 sec, f/16
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
ISO: 640
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO
Flash: Off
Hand-held

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on June 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM

Hi Sandy

Cool photo. The chick and the mom's behavior really makes the scene. To me it feels a little squished with this crop, and a little more room top and bottom would be nice. Also, maybe f8 or so would've put more focus on the subjects and less on the background.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 5, 2013 at 12:20 PM

I spent 2 minutes staring at this photo wondering why this avocet looked so much shorter and stockier than the others I have seen. Then I noticed that she was semi-seated. Doh.
Lovely detail on the mum and chick but perhaps a bit too much detail on the background plants which causes the beak to get a bit lost. I also think that a bit more space at bottom and/or top would improve the composition.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 5, 2013 at 6:58 PM

Excellent, Sandy. Great poses and perfect focus and exposure.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on June 5, 2013 at 8:49 PM

Excellent timing Sandy. Love the pose of the mother.
May

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 5, 2013 at 9:39 PM

Great shot, Sandy!! The chick is as cute as can be. Poor mom has a big job fending off the gulls. Let us wish her well. Interesting to see how mom lowers herself. The size of her feet aren't, well, too ladylike... Lot's of marshy walking power, though... F16, well you know me, I enjoy seeing some of the habitat, when available and suitable for the comp, which looks like to me, is fine here.

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

Comment posted by John Neukirch on June 5, 2013 at 9:40 PM

A truly magical capture Sandy, the large version is exquisite. What's really amazing is your steady hand, handheld at 1/200 with a 500mm bazooka. Very well done (I've either got to cut out the caffeine or start lifting weights).

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 6, 2013 at 2:58 AM

Sandy,

Stupendous image, the birds stand out very well even allowing for the "busy" background

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on June 6, 2013 at 3:53 PM

Excellent image, Sandy! I love the open beak pose of the mom. The chick is adorable.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on June 6, 2013 at 9:21 PM

Really sharp for 1/200 while hand holding such a large set-up Sandy. I am sure your f/16 was to try to include the environment and since they were so close to the BG, why not? You didn't have enough room from subject to BG to try and create any type of blur of your BG. I personally think it was a better decision. For me...I do think it's a bit on the tight side form top to bottom though. Not sure if you have more room or not..if it were mine, I might add some back.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 9, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Lovely intimate shot Sandy

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