Avocet

Gallery: AvianPosted September 1, 2011157 views6 comments

My family and I went to Frank Lake, Alberta last month. I had meant to post this image already but couldn't get around to doing it because we have been really busy lately. This guy had been wading through the water, and then he started to walk a little different. That's when I knew to get ready, he spread out his wings only for a few seconds and I was able to get the shots! I was really happy to have photographed this guy because I think Avocets are such beautiful birds.

There was a piece of vegetation sticking through his beak that we cloned out.

Thanks for any comments or suggestions!

Nikon D300
Nikkor 200-400 f/4 ED VR with 1.4TC
ISO 320
1/1000sec @ f/7.1

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on September 1, 2011 at 3:44 PM

I agree, they are a beautiful bird and you've captured this one very nicely. Nice habitat shot and the pose is different from what I usually see in photos.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on September 1, 2011 at 4:12 PM

Hello Jenaya.
You did very well to anticipate this birds movement and as you say they are beautiful birds i really like it.

Keith.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on September 1, 2011 at 5:26 PM

Jenaya: Nice habitat image. This classic Avocet pose is also captured well. The whites in the image look a bit hot to my eye. There don't appear to be any real clipping issues, just a lot of detail in the whites in the hottest areas.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 1, 2011 at 8:49 PM

Classic pose of the american Avocet that you captured here Jenaya. You even got a slight head turn towards you. Great anticipation for this, you were clearly ready for it when it happened because it usually only lasts about 1-2 seconds. As Keith mentioned the whites are starting to get a little bit warm but nothing out of the ordinary with Avocets. I kind of treat them like I would a snowy egret with regard to exposure which is about a minus1 to 1 1/3 stop depending on the light. This is particularly true when they raise their wings and expose their undersides to the light.
You have a great looking habitat to show him off in. Very well done Jenaya. Your dad must be very proud of you and your sister. You are both excelling at wildlife photography. Cheers!

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on September 1, 2011 at 10:32 PM

Well anticipated and captured, Jenaya. You got an excellent image. As David says, black and white birds are hard to expose right, especially during bright conditions. You can try reducing the highlights when you process RAW or selectively reduce the brightness of those areas in photoshop.

Congrats on getting this.

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on September 3, 2011 at 2:29 AM

Jenaya - man did you ever show me up on this shoot...and you absolutely nailed this one! I still can't believe you captured this! I saw it happen but couldn't get my lens on him in time. Not only did you capture the moment, but I LOVE your composition. GREAT stuff...maybe this isn't your most wow-factor image from the past year but I love it.

And yes, David, I am EXTREMELY proud.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments