Western Sandpiper in-flight

[Dorian Anderson]

The lighting has SUCKED around here for the last 3 weeks, but the rain gave us a break yesterday. I decided to go out despite the flat light.

Were this any other species, it might get trashed. These are just so hard to get cleanly. I'm ecstatic about the low shooting angle with the bird
above my lens, and I think the detail is pretty good. I'm just so partial to blue water that I'm not sure what to do about this frame despite the pose.
Curious what others think....

There was a sliver of filtered sun behind me for this frame so I got the shutter up and the ISO down, but it was still solid cloud ahead; hence the gray
water reflecting the gray sky behind the bird.

Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/4000 at f/5.6, ISO 1000, handheld
Processed in LR CC. Turned belly of bird down a bit relative to rest of image.

[John Mack]

Very nice. The pose and detail on the bird look very good. I Like the backgroud it matches the bird nicely.

[Isaac Grant]

Considering how small and fast these birds are this is very impressive. How much of a crop is this? Also how have you found the AF on the 1dx2 compared to your 5d4?

[Dorian Anderson]

Considering how small and fast these birds are this is very impressive. How much of a crop is this? Also how have you found the AF on the 1dx2 compared to your 5d4?

Crop is on the heavier side - 5MP or 25% of original frame. AF is much better but not infallible. The huge increase in frame rate is wonderful. I've only had a few outings because of crappy weather, but I am
hoping to get out a bit more as the weather improves this week.

[Colin Driscoll]

Skill shot! Lovely detail and I don't mind the subdued sky. What AF array did you use, if you don't mind my asking?

[Dorian Anderson]

Thanks, Colin. This was single point +4 of surround/assist, my default for BIF.

[Paul Burdett]

Very nice Dorian. Looks like you're nailing the 1Dx+600mm combo. It's sharp without looking overdone, and I too like the BG. Cheers.

[Colin Driscoll]

Thanks, similar here although I flip between 4 and 8 surround.

[Alex Becker]

Great to get one of these guys in flight. Nice pose as well. I love the trailing feet. I may be tempted to warm the frame up a little. TFS

[Arthur Morris]

Wow, wow, wow. To my eye, this is an amazingly beautiful image. I would not traded the grey water for blue ...

[William Dickson]

Looking real good Dorian, I like the BG colour, I think it shows the perfectly exposed bird real good. I like the flight pose. Well captured.

Will

[arash_hazeghi]

nice shot Dorian, I don't mind the BG but the face is showing some noise on my screen, need to back off on the sharpening.

TFS

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Very nice wing position.

It looks beautiful.

TFS