Semipalmated Sandpiper showing how it got its name

[Isaac Grant]

This Semipalmated Sandpiper was photographed a few nights ago at Wolfe's Pond Park in Staten Island, New York. It was with a group of about 75 birds that were on the rocky beach. Sun was a little higher than I would have preferred but the tide was not on my side. This picture was taken just as the high tide was overtaking the last of the rocks and the birds had nowhere to go so they all flushed. Ideally I would have liked it to be about 30 minutes later and the bird turned just slightly to our left. I do like that we get a perfect view of the feet and how the bird got its name.

Canon 7d2 and Canon 500 f4ii + 1.4xiii. ISO 500, F8, SS 1/2000. Tripod mounted while I was lying down on the beach.

Converted in DPP 4. Auto ISO. Focus point touching the back of the eye and behind the eye. In PS I cropped, sharpened and applied noise reduction to the background. Also got rid of a small patch of seaweed on the bottom left of the frame.

[John Hackney]

Well taken shot. Like the balance of the crop.

[Randy Stout]

Isaac:

I appreciate your self critique and comments, but the light was well handled, the angle in the frame is still effective and the rock is neat.

Just for personal preference, I would probably crop about 10-15% of the free space off from above.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the subject and pose. The perch looks awesome in colour and wetness. Great blue BG too. A solid peep image!