Marbled Godwit in gentle surf

[Arthur Morris]

This image was created on the Saturday morning, October 28 Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Instructional Session with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1092632-REG/canon_9524b002_ef_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6l_is.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/CA1004002LIS/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xCA1004002LIS), the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732113-USA/Canon_4409B002_Extender_EF_1_4X_III.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/CA14XEF3/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xCA14XEF3) (at 390mm) and my favorite bird photography camera body, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1274705-REG/canon_eos_5d_mark_iv.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/CAE5D4/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xCAE5D4) ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/500 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. AWB in sunny but very slightly overcast conditions.

One AF point above and three to the left of the center AF point/AI Servo/Expand AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was placed on the side of the bird’s breast.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome. Please be especially harsh on this one :)

with love, artie

ps: see here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2017/11/05/fort-desoto-early-winter-ipt-and-raw-fileimage-optimization-challenge-2/) to see the original and here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2017/11/09/the-marbled-godwit-straightforward-image-optimization-challenge-results-offer-a-tremendous-opportunity-for-learning/) to see what the boys and girls did with the RAW file challenge.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I like the colours though perhaps the contrast is a little high. The only detail that bugs me is the head - it isn't sharp. The slight blur in the legs is ok it conveys movement but from my point of view I would have preferred a sharp eye.

[Isaac Grant]

I love the pose and the color of the water. Agree with Jonathan re the head. It's not tack sharp. I thought so when I downloaded the RAW as well.

[dankearl]

Classic, nice light, nice pose.

[nickolas thurston]

I like the blur in the legs, the background is really nice too. I also notice the top of the head is not incredibly sharp but it not very noticeable.