Avocet Memories

Gallery: AvianPosted March 19, 201168 views10 comments

I was reviewing my images from last Tuesday and came upon my first in the morning shots of some Avocets wading at a pond at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. I noticed that they were getting their spring colors back. They brought back memories of when I first started photographing birds about a year ago. I compared some I took last year. Wow, what a difference and how things have changed.

Started with a Canon XTi with 70-300, images in JPEG only and using full automatic controls.

But the biggest difference is the help and motivation of the NPNers. I can never thank you folks enough.

Comments are appreciated.

03/15/2011 6:45 a.m.
Canon 7D
300 2.8L w/ 1.4ext
420mm
f/5.0 @ 1/4000
ISO 500
Exp Comp 0
Metering = spot, manual
Cropped to 60% of Original Image - for composition

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Charles Rose on March 19, 2011 at 10:21 AM

Very nicely done!

Registered on March 13, 2011, 58 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 19, 2011 at 12:50 PM

Nice colors and love the water drops. The avocets here are turning into breeding colors and the chicks will follow..can't wait!
A bit of an awkward pose.. but a really nice image.
Great to see your growth and improvement -

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 19, 2011 at 1:06 PM

Very nice capture of a beautifully elegant bird Harry, I really like the rich colours and the rippled reflection, well done :^)

Kind regards,

Ashley

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Mclean on March 19, 2011 at 3:58 PM

No nits from me.Lovely shot Harry.

Phil.

Registered on March 16, 2010, 30 Posts, 153 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 19, 2011 at 4:32 PM

Very nice, like the water drops. I have only had one chance to photograph an avocet, so this also brings back my memories. I like that you have kept detail in the highlight areas. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 19, 2011 at 4:33 PM

I like it Harry. My only question is about the water behind and just to the right of the bird's head heading on up to the top of the frame. It looks a bit odd in that area. Not sure what is happening there.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 19, 2011 at 8:42 PM

Boy would I love to get a shot of this bird... I will. I love the colors and reflections

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 19, 2011 at 10:22 PM

Gorgeous lighting, a nice comp and I like the water droplets coming off the bird here Harry

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 19, 2011 at 11:02 PM

Nice light, Harry, and a great pose. I like the eye contact and the water droplet.

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

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 20, 2011 at 12:43 PM

Very nice. The reflection really helps with the comp and the lighting is beautiful.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments