African Black Oystercatcher calling

[Stu Bowie]

I couldnt get near these guys, as they were very skittish, and with any movement, they just flew away. I realise the feet arent fully visible, but standing up would have had an empty frame. Taken early morning along the shoreline of a suburb in Cape Town.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/1000
F/7.1
ISO 800

Exp control +0.67
hand held

[Enrique Patino]

That is one excited bird Stuart. I like it and not being able to see the feet here does not really bother me. TFS

[gail bisson]

This is a terrific image Stuart.
Love the colors and the perfect head turn and the calling pose.
Exposure is perfect and you nailed the detail in the blacks.
You can see enough of the feet to keep the critics at bay!!:S3:
Gail

[BenBotha]

I agree, the partial amputation IMO not serious. The blacks handled well. The open beak a bonus.
Ben

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stuart - I don't mind not seeing the feet. Excellent detail in the blacks and that eye really pops. The open beak really adds to the image. Only change I might make is to crop a little from the top (or clone if you prefer) to get rid of the brown in the ulc and have all blue along the top edge.

TFS,
Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for all your feedback and comments everyone.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details, a great shot.