Muddy feet

A long trek across the fields (no joke carrying a 600mm and a heavy tripod) gave me my first greenshank pictures earlier today. I'll post some when I have had a chance to do some processing, but in the meanwhile here is a common sandpiper that fed near the hide for a few minutes. I don't normally crop birds as close as this, but I wanted to emphasise those muddy feet.

Thanks to Brett Lewis for his help in fulfilling one of my targets for the autumn, and to Rob McEwen for his company in the hide.

David

Nikon D200, 600mm Nikon, 250iso, 1/2500th @ f4.5

hi david

great shot and i love those muddy footprint trail

jeff acreman

I second that ref the footprints. Very well captured indeed.

Lovely shot of this little wader with the muddy feet telling the story and lifting the shot. Nice one. The Oof mark above its bill catches my eye a bit and removing it might add a final polish to a fine shot.
Eric

Its a nice well exposed shot, a lower POV would have been better I feel, but rarely accomodated for in reserve hides.
The ID though is incorrect, this bird is a first year juvenile Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Hello David
Yes, those muddy footprints make this shot. Certainly worth all the effort.
Nigel, I think you'll find that David id's it as a sandpiper! (oops, I'm not a moderator anymore !)
Best wishes
Phil

Hi David

Nice light and the crop works well on this plain BG with the footprints adding a little interest - very nice!

David

Oop's, perhaps I should have read the whole caption, it was early.
However it is a pet hate of mine that there are so many who mis-ID and more particulary misspell the names of species.

The correct spelling is Commun Sadpiper Nigel.
Sorry David but yes your wader is indeed a fine shot and looks a good one.

Major

A well detailed & nicely composed image.
The footprints do add to the image.

Lee

A fine image indeed. Nice details.

Well worth the long hike out there David. Lovely image. I hope you thanked Rob for cutting the reeds back! lol

Cheers

Tony

Really like this one David, excellent detail.

Hello David.

Very nice capture.

I'm glad you didnt go for the ultra low POV as we would have lost those lovely foot prints in the mud. Which really make this for me.

That's gorgeous! Detail is great and the muddy feet are funny. Picking up on the colour comment of your other image, the shadow on this one is blue. Since that was the colour in question on the other image, it makes me wonder - can shadows be blue?! Maybe they can!

Very nice! Glad you connected with the greenshank too Looking forward to the 'shank shots