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Preening Dunlin
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Preening Dunlin

by Mia McPherson

Gallery: AvianPosted January 12, 2010131 views17 comments
Calidris alpina

This was taken in May of 2009, my 80-400mm VR was being repaired so I was using my 70-300mm VR. Taken while sitting on the water of a quite lagoon on Florida's Gulf coast. The Dunlin had been bathing and then moved closer to the shoreline to preen.

D200, HH, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 160, 70-300mm VR at 300mm, 54% of original image, natural light.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques, thank you for looking.

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on January 12, 2010 at 9:01 PM
Mia,

What a neat little bird. The head angle and catch light really make this image for me. At first glace the background seems a little cluttered but I think it shows some habitat and adds to the photo. Well done. :toast:
Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 12, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Stunning detail in the feathers of this bird Mia. Great exposure and your signature low angle make this so nice. A perfect comp with the habitat very evident, but the bird taking center stage. Very well done.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 12, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Great pose and display of plumage. Nice detail. I like it.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 12, 2010 at 9:19 PM
Mia,

Great positioning and detail in the feathers. The "caught" look of the bird during preening is classic and the habitat in the BG adds quite a bit.

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on January 12, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Beautiful Mia. I like the way that you have composed this. Very nice display of that great cinnamon color in the breeding plumage.
Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 12, 2010 at 9:53 PM
Beautiful, Mia. The preening action really accentuates the patterns in the plumage. The little wavelet really tops this off for me. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 12, 2010 at 10:50 PM
I like how this little bird looks like a ballerina doing a pose for you, Mia. You deserve it. You sure captured a beautiful image of this bird. :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 12, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Beautiful Mia! I really like the fact you got the shot looking back to shore. Terrific light, color and details!
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Ross on January 13, 2010 at 2:38 AM
Very nice Mia, great pose and light plus I like the little wave coming through, some nice plumage detail there.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 13, 2010 at 8:27 AM
Mia, it's a lovely pose with great light and detail. I like the perspective looking back to shore--I like the vegetation in the background. A very nice shot. :toast:
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 13, 2010 at 9:38 AM
That's a lovely pose you caught there MM :toast:
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on January 13, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I like this, Mia! Breeding plumage, too.
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 13, 2010 at 9:07 PM
A gem of a photo, with great detail and pleasing natural setting and colors.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 14, 2010 at 12:57 AM
Just fantastic, Lia. Such a lively looking bird. You really captured it's personality. :toast: :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 15, 2010 at 3:59 AM
A beauty Mia - like the head over shoulder look and your usual low perspective.

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on January 15, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Wonderful detail shows up really well in the large photo, Mia. A wonderful ID and behavior shot too. :smile:
Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Wilson on January 16, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Great looking Dunlin, with a great pose. I like the comp too.
Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments