American Avocet

Gallery: AvianPosted September 4, 201186 views15 comments

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: January 28, 2011
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick
Exposure: aperture priority matrix meter, ISO 400, 1/1250th @ f/8, -2/3 ev
Raw, PSCS3 on Mac G4, 65% of frame

In winter American Avocets lose their bright head color, showing instead this understated gray.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. I hope you will take the time to view the larger version before commenting.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on September 4, 2011 at 3:23 PM

Hi Richard i have had a look at the large image it shows me one very relaxed bird i like the closed eye and the fine detail, the colour of the water shows off the birds reflection very well lovely image.

Keith.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 4, 2011 at 3:47 PM

Really nice IQ here Rich. Love the preening pose. Detail, sharpness, and exposure are spot on. Top it off with the water color and texture and the reflection. Wonderful work.

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

Comment posted by Sally King on September 4, 2011 at 6:55 PM

Love the clarity in the bird and the soft ripples in its reflection. That preening pose is awesome.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 4, 2011 at 7:32 PM

Today when I found the Avocets all in their winter dress it made me sad. However, this image with the winter colors against the bronze water is gorgeous.
May

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 4, 2011 at 10:59 PM

Very nice, Rich. I love this pose and there is an amazing amount of detail in the bird. The golden brown appearance of the water is very appealing and bring out similar colors in the bird. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on September 4, 2011 at 11:23 PM

Nice job Rich, I really like the pose, and having the entire reflection is also nice.
Good job on the exposure.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Lennart Augustsson on September 5, 2011 at 7:25 AM

Hello Richard,

I like the composition, the colours, the reflection and the pose of the avocet.

Lennart

Registered on July 29, 2011, 21 Posts, 137 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 5, 2011 at 5:57 PM

Great pose and reflection, Richard.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on September 5, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Interesting pose and really appealing BG.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 5, 2011 at 8:38 PM

Classic Richard Ditch image (if there is such a thing) with wonderful colors, a simple presentation and a good low angle. Exposure is spot on as well.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on September 5, 2011 at 8:51 PM

Really like this and wish I had one for my files. I had my first view and op last month but not close enough for a good shot. The water color is great and so is the reflection. Larger version really shows it off.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on September 5, 2011 at 11:27 PM

really nice, Rich--love the light, the sleepy pose, the water and colors and your comp.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on September 5, 2011 at 11:36 PM

Like the preening pose and the nice reflection.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 6, 2011 at 10:22 AM

Love the pose and the LP looks excellent Rich.
I especially like how the coppery brown of the water compliments the browns of the avocet.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 6, 2011 at 5:21 PM

Very cool, I really like the composition with the reflection and placement of the bird within the frame. Excellent job showing detail on the white feathers in such a contrast setting, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments