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Save the Last Dance ...
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Save the Last Dance ...

by Richard Ditch

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted March 16, 2010165 views15 comments
Save the Last Dance for Me

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: March 27, 2008
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick
Exposure: ISO 200, aperture priority, 1/320th @ f/11, -2/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 70% of frame (corected slight tilt)

Normally I don't give my images such titles, but thought I'd join in this week's challenge with a repost from two years ago.

This is the post-coital dance that the stilts and avocets perform, and it happens very quickly. And given the date on this it looks like I need to be watching for it right now.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger image provided for critical evaluation.

Comments

15 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 16, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Nice entry!
The stilts here are courting too - love this time of year.
Great shot - very graceful angle.

Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 16, 2010 at 4:31 PM
Fred and Ginger! One of your better images, Richard. :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on March 16, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Very nice. Perfect image and very interesting situation.

D&L
Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments
Comment posted by Joan Cambray on March 16, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Great shot with wonderful interaction between the pair!
Registered on October 31, 2009, 6 Posts, 47 Comments
Comment posted by Bob McQuade on March 16, 2010 at 6:59 PM
A winner! You caught a great moment.
Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on March 16, 2010 at 9:27 PM
It definitely conjures up the idea of dancers--excellent, Rich! :toast:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on March 17, 2010 at 8:10 AM
Great shot, Rich :toast: I like it very much and it is very appropriate for the weekly theme!
Mauro
Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on March 17, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Great shot that matches your song.
Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on March 17, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Nice image and very appropriate for the song
Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM
A terrific photo and perfect for the theme. Nice, Richard.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 18, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Perfect title and shot!
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on March 18, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Great image, fun shot, fits the title beautifully.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Kathy Odiorne on March 18, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Most excellent!! :cool:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 211 Posts, 1471 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on March 20, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Richard:
I missed this one in the previous post, but I really like it a lot, with the eye contact with both birds, the intimate pose and the nice color of the water.
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on December 16, 2011 at 6:02 AM
Wow! That is a super gorgeous shot! I was wondering at first if it could be better lightened just a smidgen, but I am not so sure. That is the sweetest pose ever! I thought those 2x extenders were supposed to lessen quality, but it sure doesn't seem to with your photos!
Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments