Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Black-necked Stilt
‹ PreviousAvian GalleryNext ›

Black-necked Stilt

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted July 5, 2011305 views19 comments
I thought this stretching pose was particularly interesting as I've never seen one quite like it before. During this stretch he had his leg in even more extreme positions at times but I didn't get any light in the eye in those shots.

7D, 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 400, 500 f/4 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 7/2/11, cropped to 55% of original image, exposure adjustment in ACR, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

19 comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on July 5, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Ron, in the larger version you can see just beautiful, delicate detail in the blacks and the whites. This is a beautiful, delicate image.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 5, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Ron, This is one of the best poses I have seen in a Stilt. And done in your usual style of perfection. It's the best.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 5, 2011 at 10:18 PM
It may be a stretch, but it looks like bird ballet. A wonderful capture, and your usual flawless techs. I particularly like the blacks and whites. Exceptional shot, Ron.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 5, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Great pose, Ron. Looks like the Stilt is into Tai Chi. Excellent technically as always.
:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 5, 2011 at 11:15 PM
The setting and the pose and reflection of the Stilt are really incredible. Beautiful image!

Ray
Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on July 6, 2011 at 12:00 AM
A very sweet image all around, Ron.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Keith Bauer on July 6, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Very cool pose. Reminds me of a skater. The reflection helps with the overall effect of the pose. Nicely captured.
Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 6, 2011 at 2:36 AM
Nice one Ron - good job getting the reflection as well. I've got some very dodgy shots of a similar pose.

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on July 6, 2011 at 5:31 AM
I don't usually go for reflections but this works for me. Well exposed etc. Good one.
JohnR
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments
Comment posted by David Williams on July 6, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Really cool position for the Stilt, Ron.......sort of looks like a hunting dog pointing at the prey. :wink: Nice and sharp, and I like the reflection as well.
:toast:
Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Olsen on July 6, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Awsome pose Ron and well framed! This is a position I've never witnessed.
Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 6, 2011 at 5:40 PM
Wonderful timing to get this, I really like the pose with the matching reflection, nice job handling the white/black contrast and the larger version has good detail, excellent shot Ron. :toast:
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 6, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Great streching pose on this beauty Ron. Excellent exposure work displayed here, love being able to see the red eye in the large version.

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on July 6, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Outstanding exposure of the stilt and I like Jim's bird ballet description. Lots of interesting angles and triangles in this image: V at the neck, tail tip/foot/knee/tail feather triangle, etc. Unique and very interesting behavioral shot with excellent techs.
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 6, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Great position - there must be a name for this in ballet circles.

Excellent detail and IQ in the larger version.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 7, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Very interesting pose and a perfect reflection to go with it. Excellent and out of the ordinary
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Eric Diller on July 7, 2011 at 4:37 PM
Fantastic...love that pose and reflection!
Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on July 8, 2011 at 4:58 PM
Nice pose Ron. Great image.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on December 16, 2011 at 6:13 AM
That is the funniest looking pose!
Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments