Pacific Golden Plover

Gallery: AvianPosted February 19, 2014284 views8 comments

Just back from 2 great weeks on the Big Island, Hawaii. The birds are very elusive, shy, and live in the tree canopies where it's very tough to even FIND them, let alone shoot them.

Golden Plovers make one of the longest migratory journeys of any shorebird. They breed on the high Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada and winters in the grasslands of central and southern South America. It's rare in mainland US, but they were fairly common in Hawaii, on their stop-over.

D800
500mm
1/1000 sec, f/6.3
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
ISO: 250
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO1
Flash: Off

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 19, 2014 at 11:31 PM

If you shot this in Hawaii then shouldn't this be a Pacific Golden Plover and not an American Golden Plover? These two species were split from Lesser Golden Plover recently.

I like this image as presented, but I'd also consider cropping it to more of a square format.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 20, 2014 at 12:08 AM

Ummm, yes, I guess it would!

Thanks for the correction -

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 20, 2014 at 1:05 AM

It's always been a puzzle to me that Pacific Golden Plover are so approachable in Hawaii and so incredibly skittish in Alaska, where they are found on the west coast and Bering Sea islands during breeding season and, no incidentally, look like completely different birds. Excellent show on the "short grass prairie" in Hawaii. I'm fine with the composition, but envious of your trip.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 20, 2014 at 1:53 AM

Sandy, it sounds like your trip went great and I am glad. Nice capture and the usual great techs. I like the comp as is where the lush green grass is shown off as the environment. Looking forward to more images. I will be sure to check out the other galleries as well as Avian for your images.

I am excited to see the results of all you planned trips this year. Continued Happiness throughout this year.

Skip

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 20, 2014 at 6:05 AM

Nice capture Sandy. Love the head turn and purple flowers in the background. Envious of your trip! Looking forward to more.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on February 20, 2014 at 10:06 PM

Very nice image Sandy. I do like the seting.
May

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 21, 2014 at 1:07 AM

Nice setting with the hint of purple flowers in the bg. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on February 21, 2014 at 1:13 AM

Nice shot with good light, good separation and a pleasing BG. The head turn is a plus. The eye and shoulder area are sharp but the near wing and neck look like the DOF wasn't quite holding. Did you happen to get any at F8?

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments