White-rumped Sandpiper - Stompin' Mud

[Ross Taylor]

This photo was taken at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

My Canon EOS 7D mkII, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, and 1.4x III teleconverter were on a small beanbag on the ground. Settings were f/8, 1/1000s, ISO 1600, 437mm. Shot RAW and processed in Lightroom.

Cropped to 80% frame width for composition. Cloned out distracting plants from lower right corner, and just right of the foot. For the background: dodged and burned to even out tonality, applied NR, dropped contrast and clarity.

Critiques very much appreciated - Thanks for having a look :)

Ross

[Doug Griffith]

Nice low perspective; sharp; good composition; eye contact; and background; but a little too monochromatic for my taste, Ross.

[gail bisson]

Excellent IQ.
I see you have been to the "Church of Daniel Cadieux":t3 with the ultra-low POV.
I like the raised foot and I always enjoy images of shorebirds coming towards the viewer because it shows good fieldcraft.
The little wavelet is kinda of cool. PP looks good to me,
Gail

[Ross Taylor]

Lol Gail, "The church of Daniel Cadieux".

His excellent shots have certainly been an inspiration to me for about a year. There is a price to pay though: This shot had me laying down in mud and sinking down what felt to be a half foot. And then there was the clean up job when I got home ;)

Thanks for your feedback Gail :)

Ross

[Grace Scalzo]

Everything to like about this fine shorebird image. Seems to be a pale individual...most of the ones that I have seen have more rusty color in their feathers. No need to list what's already been said, just add my compliments.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Yup, as Gail said... The Church of Daniel Cadieux. Ohhhh to be young again and wallow in the mud. Lovely image, Russ. Beautiful bird, nicely shown, perfect background. Thank you for sharing, Russ.

[keith mitchell]

Wallow in the mud I would never get up again and drown on the incoming tide, is a pale looking bird that you have captured very well, nice work Ross.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ha ha you guys are too funny! Don't take everything I say as gospel:S3:. Great low angle, of course, and I like the muddy walking pose. I personally like the muted "pastel" colours here. There were at least two paler individuals in the flock that week, glad you were able to get some pictures of one of them.

[Marina Scarr]

Terrific low angle here, and love the raised foot and the tiny wave. This image came together very nicely!

[Robert Kimbrell]

A great low angle. The soft colors work well for me. Very well presented.