Long-billed Dowitcher

Gallery: AvianPosted May 9, 2011128 views15 comments

Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: April 8, 2011
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority center-weighted meter, 1/640th, f/8, -1/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, full frame
Unbaited, not set up

Yes, this is too tight, but it is full frame so there's no additional space in the image. I rarely shoot this tight, but sometimes the birds just come too close for anything else. I learned long ago that it is better to take the shot than lose the opportunity fumbling to switch down to the 1.4x converter when the subject pauses momentarily in front of my camera.

The same bird as my post of April 24.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger version if possilbe before commenting.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 9, 2011 at 1:26 PM

Nice one, Richard! Being a largish wader I am not too bothered that it is tight. I am with you on taking the opportunity when it presents itself!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on May 9, 2011 at 2:42 PM

I find dowitchers' plumages very colorful, so really appreciate this super sharp close up. I don't find the crop too tight - since you have the entire dowitcher here without clipping any part. Techs and light are top notch. Thanks for sharing this.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 9, 2011 at 2:46 PM

Richard,
I'm with you...Get the image while the gettin is good or you might wind up with nothing. The tight confines don't bother me that much. Looks like a perfect post card. Could possibly use a slight clockwise rotation but then you would have to crop more of the existing canvas and not sure it's worth it particularly when there is lateral dark line that intersects with the bridge of the nose that looks level. Nice light, good colors. One of my favorite shore birds Richard.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Scoles on May 9, 2011 at 3:27 PM

Gorgeous detail in the plumage Rich! I like this one very much. I don't always appreciate the long billed dowitchers because they are so common around here. But this photo really makes me realize what a beautiful bird it is.

Registered on August 21, 2008, 42 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on May 9, 2011 at 3:35 PM

Agree with you Richard sometimes you have to grab what's in front of you,very nice detailed image.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 9, 2011 at 4:19 PM

Wonderful detail and color in this image. Exposure looks perfect. When is Nikon introducing a zoom version of the TC20E?

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 9, 2011 at 4:36 PM

Wow Rich. Really nice look at this Dowitcher. Love the light and the detail in the larger version. Nice pose too. Too tight, not for me really. This comp gives the viewer a great op to see the details in this rather small bird. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 9, 2011 at 5:09 PM

Good that you took the opportunity when it was offered-lovely shot Rich.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on May 9, 2011 at 5:57 PM

Rich, I can certainly relate to the tight framing, I've experienced the same thing recently myself, but we take what we can get. Nicely framed for a FF shot.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 9, 2011 at 7:06 PM

love the light and details, Rich, along with the ripples in the water. I'd add a thin strip of canvas on top.

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

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on May 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Like the detail and pose, especially the foot just starting to break the water's surface. Seems to need just a touch CW rotation (basing this on the ripple going through the bill)

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on May 10, 2011 at 12:16 AM

Wow!!! Amazing shot. Having a the subject come so close must have been awsome. Love the light, the feather detail is just amazing, and great pose. Your experience really paid off I would have been one those trying to switch or remove tc and end up missing a spectacular shot like yours. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 10, 2011 at 8:12 AM

Great detail Richard. Wish I'd followed your advice. Missed an outstanding chance at a Red-backed Kingfisher recently while trying to remove the 1.4X

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by May Haga on May 10, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Love these guys and you have captured it very nicely Richard.
May

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 11, 2011 at 6:22 AM

I hear you & agree, better to take that shot than fumble

There's one thing a tight closeup like this give the viewer - A very intimate connection with the subject.
Well done, great shot as posted

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