Red Knot, Arctic Tundra

Gallery: AvianPosted December 9, 201632,767 views8 comments

Another one from our Nome trip last June. Making this photo was one of the most challenging shoots of the trip. The area the Red Knots live is near the summit of fairly large hill, and on this day it happened to be extremely windy and very cold. We spotted several birds foraging together among the tundra plants on top of the hill. And, in such adverse conditions a couple die-hard photographers and I decided to try photographing them. As we walked with the red knots in the blustery wind, every now and then the beautiful birds would take break behind a little knoll out of the wind allowing us make some portraits. We were frozen solid by the time we we returned to the truck 45 minutes later, but very happy with our crazy decision.

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Canon MKIV; 600mm; Gitzo Tripod with BH-55 ballhead; 1/1250; f8; ISO 800; manual exposure using spot meter

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 9, 2016 at 11:46 AM

Excellent job, Ken, particularly given the adverse conditions. Detail in the Knot is beautiful, as is the surrounding habitat. Looks like you may have clipped the feet, but it really doesn't matter much given the lushness of the tundra vegetation.

devil

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

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on December 10, 2016 at 7:32 AM

Hi Ken,

Well worth the effort. No nits and I appreciate that you were able to photograph this bird. I rarely see knots any more--they are becoming fairly scarce and rarely encountered here in Michigan during migration....................................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on December 10, 2016 at 9:25 AM

Hello Ken,.....another excellent image, well worth the effort !! :)

Bill

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

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on December 10, 2016 at 9:31 AM

Ken, I like the detail on the bird, and the 2 in focus flower groups, as well as the colors of the Tundra. Well done, especially braving the conditions you describe. crying

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on December 10, 2016 at 11:50 AM

Very nice... The species of the North are always great to see, especially in breeding plumage and these distinct surroundings. No nits from me, just praise enlightened

. Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on December 10, 2016 at 3:56 PM

These are very attractive birds and you've done a great job with your portrait. Of course the bird does compete with the beautiful tundra. I really like the vibrancy of this image. This is color the way it is meant to be seen without being oversaturated.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 10, 2016 at 7:02 PM

Great bird in a beautiful setting Ken, nicely done devil

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on December 11, 2016 at 6:11 PM

Beautiful, Ken. Wish I was there. Oh, wait a minute..... enlightened

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