Plover Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted December 4, 2009157 views11 comments

Last Sunday it was kinda chilly but a beautiful day, so I went to Ocean Springs. I've gotten accustomed to the behavior of these black bellied plovers. They seem to browse along the shoreline digging in the sand, and almost predictably stopping for a few moments, often with one foot in front like this pose. Another thing that has made them pretty easy to capture is that they don't seem much bothered my presence, sometimes just advancing in at pretty close range, also, I sense that they are a bit curious about me judging from this behavior. This one was maybe 30-35 feet away, shot at about 8am.

Full frame, Olympus E-3 ZD300 F2.8 +EC20, Wimberley I
ISO 400 1/4000 f5.7 -0.3EV

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 4, 2009 at 2:10 PM

Nice shot. The super smooth BG is awesome and the detail/lighting is spot on. These birds are rather common around here and I've found them quite easy to work with - I've gotten within 15 feet of them without them being scared.

I would try more of a pano crop on this though, as I think it could use a little more room in front and a little less on top.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 4, 2009 at 3:34 PM

I think your full frame comp is quite good here Bill, with nice detail and exposure. My only suggestion would be to try and get a lower angle.

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

Comment posted by Greg Cope on December 4, 2009 at 3:37 PM

Nice shot all around. Wouldn't mind seeing a lower angle, but that's a personal pref

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 4, 2009 at 3:38 PM

Very nice Bill. I like the light, the colors, and the comp. The first thing I thought when I saw this image, other than how attractive it is, is that a lower angle would have taken this to another level. Well done as is though.

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on December 4, 2009 at 3:51 PM

I like it as presented. Well done. You have some good light and a fabulous subject here.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on December 4, 2009 at 4:54 PM

You've really done a nice job capturing the behavior of Black Bellies here, Bill. The forage-pause-look around pattern is classic and you've nailed it. I like the shot very much, and the sweet morning light is a bonus. I hate ti disagree with Nate, but I think the angle is pretty good.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 4, 2009 at 6:52 PM

Nice one Bill - like the slightly tilted head. I'd possibly go for a slightly more pano crop as Luke suggested.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on December 4, 2009 at 7:03 PM

I often have the sense that during the "forage-pause-look around pattern" (Jim's description) that the Plover always looks at me during the look phase. You have captured this behavior nicely in great light.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM

Looks like this plover went to modeling school Bill, esp with the foot pose. Love the light and the background blues and your comp works well for me.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM

Bill,

I like this very much as posted, especially the light, the pose and your angle.

I've seen this forage-pause-look around behavior a lot with this species and have found that if you are very still they will often get closer.

Beautiful image as posted.

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

Comment posted by Stephen on December 5, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Lovely photo in nice light.

Registered on November 11, 2007, 42 Posts, 803 Comments