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Red-necked Phalarope
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Red-necked Phalarope

by Nick Saunders

Gallery: AvianPosted June 9, 2010151 views17 comments
This male was taken about a month ago on a prairie slough in 40k winds. It kind of makes the water looks like the sea.
I chose to leave it exactly as it was and not adjust any rotation because the tiny shorebird was being buffeted all over the place.

Canon 40d
100-400@400
1/750
F8
ISO 400

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Darren Colello on June 9, 2010 at 2:12 PM
I like your choice of comp Nick. Very good detail and I like the deep blue undulating waves.
Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on June 9, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Nick,

I like the "rough seas"look of this photo and wouldn't change a thing. I missed them on their way through my area but you have captured this one in real nice lighting and (what appears to be) an unusual environment.
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 9, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Very striking photo, Nick! Great idea to leave it the way it is, too. Definitely joins the viewer in the struggle with the elements. She's a beauty and you did her proud. :cool:
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by David Chauvin on June 9, 2010 at 5:23 PM
This is really nice, Nick. The color is great and the choppy water gives it a sense of time and place. :cool:
Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on June 9, 2010 at 5:30 PM
I like the setting too - just like at sea. Focis is spot-on, as is exposure and eye contact.
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments
Comment posted by Douglas Graham on June 9, 2010 at 5:55 PM
I like this a lot. It really has a nice feel to it. Great job here all the way around.
Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on June 9, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Nick:
I like the water action and color and the oblique angle of the bird in the waves. Very crisp shot. What focus mode were you using (point, matrix, etc.)? :toast:
Added later - Nick, thanks for focus information. I was curious about how you got the bird so sharp amidst all the wave action. Sorry, I jumbled my metering and AF-area terms in my question.
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on June 9, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Thanks guys , I opted for one-shot focus with partial metering.
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 9, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Sweet, I like the rough seas look of this and the colors. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on June 9, 2010 at 9:58 PM
I like this a lot, Nick. I particularly like how sharp you got the bird while the photo still conveys the strong motion in the water. your comp is perfect for the angle of the bird. nice detail in your whites too. very well done.
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on June 9, 2010 at 10:16 PM
What a neat capture! Love it! Saw my first one recently at a sewage pond - water wasn't like this :biggrin:
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 10, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Cool image, Nick and gorgeous detail in the plumage. I was uncertain about he rotation when I first looked at it, but I kind of like it. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 10, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Sweet, I love the windblown tail feathers. I like that you left it alone and I think it works
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 10, 2010 at 7:04 AM
Wonderful detail Nick - I assumed it was the sea and had visions of you out in a kayak.

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on June 11, 2010 at 12:21 AM
Awesome capture, Nick. Really nice detail and I really like the "stormy seas" kind of feel I get from this; and how the contrasting colors work so well together - very nice. :smile:
Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments
Comment posted by Satie Sharma on June 12, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Excellent shot, Nick. Lovely detail and pose. I like the choppy water and ruffled tail feathers too. :toast:
Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Wilson on June 13, 2010 at 10:08 AM
That's a cracking image Nick.

Why isn't it a Wilson's? The bill looks quite long and I don't recall seeing Red-necked with that buffy-pink front and breast (I would expect grey and white). The clean lines of the dark 'mask' looks more Wilson like than the usually more extensive dark area on Red-necked too.

Either way, the stormy, wind-blown setting is excellent! :smile:
Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments