Black-belllied Plover take-off

[Bill Dix]

On my visit to Sandy Hook a few weeks ago, I spent a few minutes trying to catch these guys in flight. I never got a razor-sharp shot with great wing position, but I thought this one was an interesting pose. Almost full frame except for a little rotation. Cloned out an oof gull. I believe this is an adult in transition from breeding to non-breeding plumage, but someone may wish to correct me.

D7000, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 800, 1/1600s @ f/7.1 manual, lowered gitzo and mongoose (sitting on the beach).

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Nice bird, nice wing position and light. Wish it was mine!

[laurie golden]

Bill,

I like the pose and the colors in the water. Whole thing has a dreamy look so the overall softness and blur in wings is good.

[Grace Scalzo]

The jpeg looked so flat....I am really glad that I opened this one, Bill. I like the details, especially under the "arm pits" as well as the pose and the soft (in a good way!) feel to the image. Love it.

[Richard Stern]

Hi,

Excellent moment captured, with lovely pose and good detail.

Richard

[Melissa Groo]

I really like this image, Bill. I like the blurred wings, the comp, the details, and the overall feel, as Grace points out. Nice job.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent image, Bill. I like the diagonal pose with the stretched out wings. I think you are right with the status of the plumage.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone.