Spotted Sandpiper

Gallery: AvianPosted June 17, 2010188 views24 comments

Actitis macularia

Taken on the west coast of central FL, the Spotted Sandpiper was actively feeding on oyster and barnacle encrusted rip rap. I love to watch this species bobbing their tails up and down.

D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/160, ISO 250, 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, 74% of the original image. I have provided the larger version for evaluation of sharpness and details. The background in this image is more rip rap, the seashell strewn shoreline and water.

As always; I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques. Thanks for looking.

Ron Dudley and I are heading out in the morning for a great Montana birding/camping trip, hope to bring back some wonderful images to share!

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by Laura Stafford on June 17, 2010 at 8:44 PM

Nice habitat shot Mia. Head of the Sandpiper is in nice focus with the highlight in the Sandpiper's eye. Image is sharp and colors are nice.

Laura Stafford

Registered on November 3, 2009, 52 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 17, 2010 at 10:01 PM

I sure like wandering through your gallery Mia, you always impress..
This one is no exception..Very good technically, and I love the "oyster & barnacle encrusted rip rap" perch..
What's rip rap anyway?

Never heard that term before.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 17, 2010 at 11:24 PM

Nice posture and position in frame. Very nice detail in the larger version. With all that green color in the background I didn't recognize this as yours until I opened it!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 18, 2010 at 12:45 AM

Very intimate avian photo Mia. I like the lighting as well. Cool leg stance. Have a great time out in Montana!!! Hopefully you can share some keepers when you get back.

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

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on June 18, 2010 at 6:05 AM

Mia, Seems to me to be very sharp despite the 1/160 SS. Great detail on the larger version. We have these birds on Lake Woodlands where I see most of my birds and they do bob up and down a lot. Nice shot. Your portfolio, as mentioned previously, is really good.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on June 18, 2010 at 6:30 AM

Very nice shot, Mia. Your photos are always a source of inspiration!
Mauro

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 18, 2010 at 7:53 AM

Like the crouching posture Mia. Nice detail in the larger image. Just like our Common SP

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on June 18, 2010 at 8:40 AM

Thanks for the comments thus far on this spotted sandpiper image, I appreciate them.

Howard, rip rap is sort of a retaining wall, some times it is made from man made materials (concrete for example) that later become encrusted with oysters, barnacles and such. Some times they are made from natural materials, but both are there to help curb erosion.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on June 18, 2010 at 10:03 AM

Nie shot of this sandpiper Mia. I am not sure what a rip rap is, but it looks cool and like how it adds to the shot. Techs look great as always. Good luck on the trip!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 18, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Wonderful detail where it counts, the larger version really helps to see the habitat, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on June 18, 2010 at 12:43 PM

nice active pose and an interesting perch, Mia. good luck in Montana!

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on June 18, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Hi Mia, I really like the greenery on the perch. Everything else is excellent as always.

Good luck to you and Ron, we will all be eager to see the images.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 18, 2010 at 1:08 PM

Oh, nice shot Mia. Love the subtle colors on the bird and the great perch with all the patterns, textures, and colors. I also like the BG.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 18, 2010 at 1:47 PM

Great pose, and I love the textures in the perch, Mia.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 18, 2010 at 7:53 PM

That's a really interesting setting for a Spotty Mia. I like the active bobbing pose

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 19, 2010 at 12:33 PM

Love that perch Mia and the pose is great too

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on June 19, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Mia,
I really like the pose, the detail and the beautiful setting. Great shot!

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

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on June 19, 2010 at 8:34 PM

Hi Mia,
Great looking perch. All techs look fine and no obvious nits.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on June 20, 2010 at 4:58 AM

Lovely pose, light and setting here, Mia. I especially like the the seaweed(?).

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on June 20, 2010 at 8:33 AM

Great image Mia, like the pose you've caught.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on June 20, 2010 at 11:53 AM

You certainly captured this bird in an alert pose and watching us, Mia. A "rip rap" is a new term for me. The green color makes this beautiful image unusual.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on June 20, 2010 at 3:09 PM

My thanks for the comments on this image, from on the road, just outside Helena, MT using my phone

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 20, 2010 at 5:45 PM

Mia:
Love the perch, especially the open shell below the feet, the pose and sharpness of the image. I haven't been able to get this close to a Spotted Sandpiper. Neat capture! Hope you and Ron have a wonderful trip.

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on June 21, 2010 at 9:14 PM

Awesome photo all around, Mia! I love the diversity of colors, the pose; very nicely done.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments