Waiting for the wave

Gallery: AvianPosted August 29, 2010102 views13 comments

Hello All,
just arrived from the summer vacation with some new pics.
I think that this bird is a juvenile Western Willet but I'm not sure. Could someone help me with the ID? Thanks.

Sunset light at Anahuac NWR in Texas some hot days ago.

40D 500+1.4TC
f6.3 1/2000
-0.33
ISO 400
tripod

Thanks for viewing.
C&C are very welcome.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on August 29, 2010 at 11:06 AM

Hi monica !!!
Nice to see your shots again. Gorgeus image, but I can't help you with the I.D...

Mauro

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

Comment posted by Buck Ward on August 29, 2010 at 11:17 AM

It's definitely a willet. Don't know about the juvenile part - their plumage does change seasonally. Willets may seem a little drab, but they are a favorite shorebird of mine.
You got a nice characteristic pose here, and sharp, too. nice head turn. The vegetation behind the willet on the left doesn't help the picture.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on August 29, 2010 at 11:30 AM

Thanks Mauro and Buck for your comments and ID help.

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

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on August 29, 2010 at 12:48 PM

Nice light and POV, Monica.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on August 29, 2010 at 1:40 PM

Lovely image Monica-the shot is sharp and the I like the crystal clear water in the FG. I'm really not bothered by the grasses in the BG. Certainly well worth putting up with the heat to capture this, IMO.

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on August 29, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Nice and sharp with a great head turn and look from the eye.Vegitation does not bother me

Dan.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 29, 2010 at 6:53 PM

A nice look at this Willet Monica, great headturn and eye contact. I was thinking it's a little bit centered in the frame, but I do like the wave breaking at it's feet and the left may be quite busy by the looks of things so you may well have the best comp for this shot.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on August 29, 2010 at 8:27 PM

Nice wave action, great head turn and generally beautiful shot, Monica.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 29, 2010 at 9:27 PM

Welcome back Monica.

I like the wave breaking at the willets feet and would consider a portrait composition for this bird, which I think would minimize the empty space on the right and the effect that OOF grasses have. The face looks a bit oversharpened in the larger version, that should be easy to fix.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 29, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Monica, I think this is a visually interesting shot the way you've composed it. I like the way the bird is sort of leaning into the wave that is coming toward it. the grasses are not an issue for me. I agree with Mia about the bird looking a bit oversharpened--there is a halo along the top of the bill too.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 30, 2010 at 5:39 AM

Great setting, head turn and breaking wave Monica. Possibly a little over sharpened/noise in the larger image

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on August 30, 2010 at 6:37 PM

Ciao Monica,
nice setting and light, sharp subject. I like a lot that wave about to break that gives a great boost image.
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 5, 2010 at 7:55 AM

Great image Monica, I especially like the water action FG here.
Nice pose, like the head turn too. That vegetation is well OOF and dark, so it does not bother me..
Besides, the bird is so well lit, who cares?

Well done

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