American Avocet

Gallery: AvianPosted July 9, 20171,037 views4 comments

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch
Date: June 1, 2007, 6:40 pm
Equipment: Nikon D200, AF-S Nikkor 300 f/2.8 D ED-IF, TC-20E (2x), G1325 tripod with RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 200, Aperture priority spot metered, 1/90th @ f/11
Raw, PS CC 2017 on Mac, cropped to 97% of full frame (from 1/2 degree rotation)

Another find in my backlog cleanup. Taken 10 years ago when the Water Ranch was probably at peak quality, with more water, more access points around the shallow ponds, and fewer photographers.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 9, 2017 at 11:07 AM

I've never seen a young Avocet. I like the pose and it looks as if you had some nice lighting.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on July 9, 2017 at 3:41 PM

Nicely timed capture, Rich. First I've ever seen an Avocet chick, and the lifted foot makes it all the more fun. If mine I'd crop from RHS to decenter a bit.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 9, 2017 at 3:55 PM

I love the crazy pose, Richard, and of course the fluff makes it perfect. Excellent image quality.

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on July 9, 2017 at 6:51 PM

Very cute! A very nice image with good color and detail and nice lighting. If it were mine, I would clone away the blade of grass over the raised left leg, at least to have a look at it and see if it improved the image.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments