Ringed plover

[Jonathan Ashton]

This bird was on the beach just at the side of the landing area, probably 2-3m in front of me. Tripod Canon 1DX Canon 100-400L IS II Auto ISO 160 + 0.67 1/400 sec f8. I found Auto ISO a very useful function when on the Farne Islands because the light was constantly changing so having decided which aperture and shutter speed I wanted I just had to remember exposure compensation
I deliberately left the sand on the bill -(because I can't remember when I saw a ringed plover with a completely clean bill)

[adrian dancy]

Outstanding picture quality and a superb capture. The bill is fine:) I like the composition and inclusion of the habitat.

[Geoff Newhouse]

Great IQ on this image. Good composition and great that we get a little peak at the eggs. I prefer my beaks au natural so I'm fine with leaving the sand. The only element that distracts me a bit is the OOF lichen/rock at the top left. I would consider cloning this out down to the sharp area. Otherwise great image.

TFS
Geoff

[Bill Dix]

Very good capture of the bird with eggs -- something we don't get very often. Bird and eggs are sharp where it matters most. (It appears that focus was on the eggs and bird's breast; might be able to sharpen the head just a tad?) Background colors nice. Tough to get a lot of DOF when you're that close.

[Daniel Cadieux]

How neat! You did very well here, and I am OK with the sandy bill. A "down-the'-barrel" look would have been too good :-)

[John Robinson]

Nice one Jon. The head area does look a little soft to me as well.
JohnR

[keith mitchell]

Jonathan you have got some very nice detail on the breast of the bird, think Bill as a point re the head but after saying this I don't think I would have noticed if it had not been pointed out, great setting for this nest site, good job.

Keith.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks for the feedback, I checked the AF point - it was on the nostril.

[adrian dancy]

I thought I'd get back to this. In my view the bird's head is sharp and it is the feather arrangement creating slightly soft appearance i.e. some feathers are lying flat and micro shadows are not created. The plumage around the eye is very finely shown. Just my view:)

[William Dickson]

Well done Jon, love the comp, great looking image

Will

[Jim Crosswell]

Great view of the nest site. Very well done Jonathan!

[christopher galeski]

nice capture Jonathan,like the environment,some nice detail in the feathers.TFS.