American Oystercatcher

Gallery: AvianPosted July 4, 2010149 views20 comments

Haematopus palliatus

Sorry for my brief hiatus from Avian, after a week long camping trip to Montana with Ron Dudley I have been busy culling images and trying to catch up on work. I haven't had much opportunity to edit the images taken in MT yet. Perhaps some day I will be able to retire and devote myself to nothing but avian photography. Well I can dream any way!

I did have an odd dream last night that I spotted an American Oystercatcher on a sandy spit in the Great Salt Lake which is odd because they do not come to Utah but it was fun to think about. Anyway that dream inspired me to post this image.

This was taken at the Gulf coast of Florida on a tide pool mudflat, the oystercatcher has a Coquina in its bill.

D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, 82% of the original image. Removed some sensor spots, adjusted rotation and sharpened for web. Larger version provided for evaluation of sharpness & details.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments and critiques. Thank you for looking.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 4, 2010 at 8:27 PM

Mia,

I particularly like how the detail on the 3 main colors stands out. Very sharp image and the blurred background suites the subject well. Great capture!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 4, 2010 at 8:59 PM

Lovely detail, nice background and great catch light Mia.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 4, 2010 at 9:31 PM

A splendid image. Lovely light. Excellent detail. Natural colors.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on July 4, 2010 at 9:45 PM

This is a "Mia Image". I know its your work before even seeing who posted it. Wonderful!

Your use of light along and from the gulf waters it what always marked what I think of as one of your "signature photos". I know its just a matter of time before your images from inland also bear your stamp.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on July 4, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Wonderful capture, all around, Mia. Really nice detail and exposure. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by wade pettitt on July 4, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Mia, I love the light and uplifted leg. Your dof is perfect and I love the eye. Well done!!.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 4, 2010 at 11:29 PM

Superb, Mia. I think everything about his capture is optimal. I especially like the location of the catchlight in the eye! The glinting "lunch" is a nice additon. Fine work.

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

Comment posted by antino cervigni on July 5, 2010 at 7:43 AM

Excellent work with impressive lighting and details

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 5, 2010 at 9:03 AM

This image simply oozes quality Mia. I like the raised foot, the great catch light and background. IQ is excellent. I especially appreciate the natural colors. Interesting that we can apparently see the foot out of the Coquina shell. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 5, 2010 at 12:49 PM

great looking shot, Mia. Love the light and details, as well as the active pose and prey.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 5, 2010 at 1:13 PM

Welcome back, Mia. Excellent image. I like the slightly raised foot and the lighting, and, of course, your low angle.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on July 5, 2010 at 5:19 PM

Great image. Nice low perspective.
May

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

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on July 5, 2010 at 6:31 PM

Hi Mia,
The low light allowed for a nice range of tones. Details look good. I especially like the two-toned background with it's gradual separation.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

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

Comment posted by William Donnelly on July 5, 2010 at 8:21 PM

I just love the eye on this one.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 31 Posts, 54 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 5, 2010 at 9:35 PM

Sweet image Mia, I like the light and the food item.

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

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on July 6, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Lovely image with good detail. My only minor nit is the BG above the water is somewhat distracting.

darrenmckenna.com

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 6, 2010 at 4:12 PM

Beautiful Mia! The light, colors and angle all work fantastically!

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on July 6, 2010 at 5:06 PM

Perfect in every way Mia. Nice walking pose, beautifully detailed, captured by excellent use of lighting. Up to your usual high standard. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 7, 2010 at 1:32 PM

I like the look the bird is giving and the good detail when viewing the larger image. Great job in handling a wide variety of colors, well done.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 15, 2010 at 11:53 PM

Nice image. I have always liked the clear corneas of these birds and your version really pops with 3-D. Well done.

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