Willet Touchdown

Gallery: AvianPosted March 2, 2012139 views16 comments

Here's a shot that I've wanted to get for a while of a Willet landing straight at me. This was taken at the Salinas Ecuasal lagoons on the Southwest coast of Ecuador, a wonderful location for waterbird photography. It's cropped to just over 50% of the original and I removed some oof mud in the background.

7D 500F4 1/1250 F8, iso 400, manual exposure, handheld

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on March 2, 2012 at 10:30 PM

Excellent detail and super action. I like the head turn.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 2, 2012 at 11:22 PM

Beautiful, Nate. I was looking closely at the front of this bird and it seems there's some kind of artifact on the right breast area. Or is it me? This pose is just great.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 2, 2012 at 11:34 PM

Thanks Ed and Charlie, Charlie I think you are right.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 2, 2012 at 11:59 PM

Sweet! Great wingspread, soft colours, and the one-foot landing is cool.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on March 3, 2012 at 6:32 AM

I like the color combo with the dark feathers really a stanout against the lgith background

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 3, 2012 at 8:29 AM

They are so cool when they open there wings. Nice spread, raised foot and low angle Nate.

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

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 3, 2012 at 8:35 AM

I always like photos of willets with open wings. Great to catch it from the front! The water color matches perfectly.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 3, 2012 at 2:27 PM

Nice display of the wings; good composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 3, 2012 at 4:12 PM

Hello Nate

Another excellent image, well exposed. Gotta love the detailed wingspread! Seems to be Steppin-out!

Very Sharl.

TFS

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 3, 2012 at 5:56 PM

Your timing was perfect with this one Nate. Great wing position. I like the soft light too. Sweet Catch

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 3, 2012 at 6:28 PM

I love the position of the wings and the legs and feet, and also the head turn.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 4, 2012 at 4:15 AM

Perfect timing Nate - love the subdued light and colours

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on March 4, 2012 at 11:18 AM

Excellent composition and the image stands up well against the crop. Love the wing span.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 4, 2012 at 6:18 PM

Love the wing spread and the 'one foot down' pose.
May

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on March 5, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Nice image, Nate. Although I've shot loads of Willet images, I've never had any luck with a shot like this.

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

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on March 9, 2012 at 5:26 PM

Great shot, Nate. Love the wing detail & the dynamic pose.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments