Black-tailed Godwit bathing

[gail bisson]

Taken in Iceland June 2019
Canon 1 DX, 600mm v.3 and 2xextender v3
F 9 ISO 1250 SS 1/1600
80% FF Nothing added or cloned.
Processed in LR and PS.
This was my first time using the 2 x with my new 600mm version 3 and I am really pleased with the sharpness.
There are oodles of godwits in Iceland but I found it very difficult to approach them when they were bathing. I spotted some godwits bathing at the far end of a pond (where we were shooting terns) and made my way to the other side. Using a big patch of lupins I camouflaged myself as best I could and waited. Within 30 minutes this handsome fellow came in for a bath. I was able to get off about 30 frames before he got spotted me and took off.
I am quite pleased with this frame and hope you like it.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

[Bill Dix]

So glad you got the Godwit. We also saw many from a distance but found them hard to approach. This one is gorgeous. I love the stream of water coming off his shoulder. Great POV, nice color, good pose. Sharp, nice light. No nits. Well captured.

[David Roach]

Simply sublime... TFS

[annmpacheco]

I'm enjoying every bit of this Gail, and certainly every drop! Perfecto DOF and the cascading water drops especially the roll off the shoulder grabs my attention. Super rich colors on the godwit against the soft blues really enhance the definition. I also like how the feathers at the base of the beak separate from the recent head dunking. Tons of details and happy you are enjoying that feather of a lens. You do not look like a lupine nor a patch of lupine but wonderful fieldcraft my friend!

[gail bisson]

I had a look at this and think I should have increased the exposure a bit. Here is my repost.

[Colin Driscoll]

Nice shot Gail, and good story. With testing I found that my 600 III with the 2x III on the 1DX II needed a little micro-adjustment as it was slightly front focusing. Same with the 1.4x III.

[Daniel Cadieux]

For sure the best part is the stream of water caressing the shoulder, very cool. Nicely done throughout, and I like both versions equally.

[Joseph Przybyla]

I cannot see how you could improve this image, looks spot on to me. Beautiful bird, nicely shown. My only problem is, I am trying to imagine what you looked like sneaking through the lupens. Thank you for sharing, Gail.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Cool Image. Love the water droplets, Head angle and background colors.

TFS

[John Mack]

Looking good. Love the water on this one the stream and that drop along the front of the neck. The low angle is very nice, Detail on the bird as well.

[William Dickson]

Very nice Gail...Love the rich colours. Good detail, lovely pose. The water flowing over the bird, adds so much. Great POV and HA.

Will

[Dorian Anderson]

As a shorebird aficionado, this is right in my wheelhouse! Love the low angle, color, and detail, and the ribbon of water is really cool. A bit more head turn would be great, and I might crop in a bit if you have the resolution (but that's more personal preference than anything else). 600 v3, sigh........

[David Salem]

Very nice Gail and I love those breeding colors. So rich. The frozen water and nice details look great too. The re-post looks better. Well done

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Beautiful bathing capture, Gail. Lucky you had the cover of the tall lupins. Love the trail of water and all the droplets.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu (http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu)