American Avocets

Gallery: AvianPosted May 17, 2010415 views29 comments

Here's a photo from Malheur NWR a few weeks ago.

This is the cool little dance performed after copulation.

Canon 600mm, ISO 400, I/500 @ f8, cropped about 20% all around

I appreciate all your suggestions and comments.

Ken Archer

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on May 17, 2010 at 2:08 PM

Beautiful image and great behavior capture. Interesting that its post-coital, I would have guessed pre. I really love the lowered embracing wing pose from the RH bird. Very cool!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 17, 2010 at 2:10 PM

What a lovely image - normally I'd want to see this from the other side but the eyes are plenty visible from this angle and makes it a bit unique.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on May 17, 2010 at 3:23 PM

Ken,
you captured a very intimate moment. Wonderful image!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Mack Barham on May 17, 2010 at 3:32 PM

Wonderful interaction between the birds! Excellent all around!

Registered on August 12, 2005, 537 Posts, 1107 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on May 17, 2010 at 5:50 PM

I like the shot from this angle also. I would put this on my wall!!

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Arni on May 17, 2010 at 5:56 PM

Stunning shot Ken, Love the eye contact from both birds.

I agree, the trip was a great time.

Registered on December 24, 2008, 112 Posts, 629 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on May 17, 2010 at 5:57 PM

Very nice shot, Ken! I like the behaviour of this pair

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on May 17, 2010 at 6:27 PM

So well done Ken!! The angle works for me because like Luke said the eyes are so well visible. The exposure looks spot on and the interaction terrific. Congrats!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on May 17, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Sweet image, Ken!

Color, detail, light, behavior,,,,,this has it all.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on May 17, 2010 at 7:59 PM

Sweet!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on May 17, 2010 at 8:47 PM

What a great special capture. I really like to capture emotion in my images and this does that.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 17, 2010 at 10:39 PM

This feels like a very tender moment! Nice.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 17, 2010 at 10:43 PM

Wonderful interaction. Fantastic image.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on May 17, 2010 at 11:15 PM

What a great moment to capture Ken, the beautiful water in the FG adds to the superb detail in the birds.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 17, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Well done Ken. Nice job on the exposure.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 17, 2010 at 11:44 PM

Very cool interaction, Ken. I really like the poses.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 17, 2010 at 11:46 PM

great interaction and poses, Ken. I agree with Luke, the nice look at the eyes makes this work very well when normally I'd want them facing us. it seems to convey the intimacy of the moment, especially with one wing outstretched like an arm around the shoulder and a "come on, let's get out of here."

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 17, 2010 at 11:53 PM

Love this. Actually I think it works better from the back. Still getting to see the eyes and beaks, but detail in the back and wings-especially the wing embrace. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 17, 2010 at 11:53 PM

Ken, this is a very special behavior and moment you captured here and the angle of capture works perfectly. It reminds me of a couple walking out of a movie theatre after a date holding hands and sharing a special moment. This will definitely sell.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 18, 2010 at 6:09 AM

Best of both worlds Ken - lovely image plus great behaviour

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 18, 2010 at 9:26 AM

This is the best image of this tender moment that I've seen. Congrats!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 18, 2010 at 9:38 AM

I've found it to be incredibly difficult to capture this behavior in either avocets or stilts and get a good look at the eye of both birds. You've done that well here Ken and I think this angle on the behavior works very well. Congrats.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 18, 2010 at 2:06 PM

Love the behavior, colors, action, details & sharpness Ken.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 18, 2010 at 5:30 PM

That's awesome Ken, wish I had been with you when you got this one!!

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 18, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Special moment, special image!

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

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on May 19, 2010 at 8:10 AM

Ken, just a great photo of unique behaviour. The others have said it all. Congrats

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on May 27, 2010 at 2:26 PM

Sometimes magic happens!
Congrats on your EP

Well Done.
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on May 29, 2010 at 2:11 AM

Congrats on the EP! I figured you would get it for this one

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 9, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Congrats Ken

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