American Avocets

[Mike Milicia]

Canon 1D X, 500mm f/4L IS + 2xIII 1/800, f/8, ISO 1600
Full Frame in vertical direction.
Cropped from right side to 8x10 format.

Photographed last week at Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge near Malta, MT.

[Bill Dix]

Mike, this is absolutely stunning. Pose, comp, colors, techs all terrific. My only nit is that there seems to be something funky about the female's bill, as if a bite were taken out of it. I don't know if you did any cloning there, or if it might just be a wet spot reflecting the sky. In any case, congrats on a fine image.

[Mike Milicia]

Thanks, Bill!

No cloning at all ... when viewed at 100%, you can see that there is water lying on the top of all but the center part of her bill, thus creating the "bite" that you see.
The spot below her bill is a water drop.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Mike, lovely low perspective, and the moment captured timeously, especially getting the raised wings of the male. I really like the graduated BG, and just enough space left at the bottom of the frame.

[Melissa Groo]

Congrats Mike, it's a beauty! I recognize that couple!! They mated like clockwork every half hour for us. This is just a sensational image. Love the position of his right wing. Excellent work.
Her bill is funky looking in my images too, good to know why.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
Just love it!
Excellent timing, love the background, excellent details , and great comp.
Very well done.

[dankearl]

This is really nice!
Great angle and poses and DOF.
Maybe a touch more saturation?

[PhilCook]

Talk about being there at the right time, great ...errrrrr...interaction, Sharp but love the overalll soft tones in this, the water and ripples look excellent, difficult crop, but right choice made I think

[Mike Milicia]

Thanks to all for the comments!

Special thanks to Melissa for scouting out and sharing the best location in the refuge for shorebird photography!

Dan, interesting comment about the saturation. The overcast light definitely rendered things on the dull side and the saturation is already cranked up quite a bit :
+20 Vibrance in ACR, +22 Saturation in PS, and another +40 Saturation selectively on the BG to bring out some color. It definitely needed it but I tried not to overdo it.

[Greg Oakley]

Sweet image Mike - I like the high-key look of this,
Cheers, Greg

[Daniel Cadieux]

Pretty much perfect for me. The interaction is excellent, as are the techs and processing. The male certainly has a solid grip on the female's back!

[Frank Schauf]

Very nice colors and great action.