Red-necked Avocet in flight

[Paul Burdett]

Hi all,
Managed this capture at Lake Dyer, just outside Gatton in Quensland. This is the first and only flight image of this bird I've taken, so pretty happy with it. Comments always welcome and learned from. Cheers.
7Dii, 100-400@400mm, 1/4000th sec, f6.3, iso400, hand-held.

[David Seymour]

Hi Paul, that's a nice in-flight image of this striking waterbird. For me it's a great flight pose with everything outstretched, good light on the nicely patterned dorsal surfaces, a good eye highlight, and the bird well positioned in the frame. I also like the area of OOF lakeside vegetation at the bottom, with the bird positioned just above it, giving a good impression of environmental setting. One of the best Red-necked Avocet photos I've come across, well done.
Cheers, David

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice one Paul. It's a good thing the avocet banked a little towards you. I agree with much of David's comments but I do find the image a bit dark overall, and a little soft on the face. I'm sure an extra dose of sharpening will fix that, at least for web presentation.

[Moe Richard]

A nice look at this flying Avocet. I agree with some of the previous comments. What I like about it is the mirroring of the tan out of focus reads in the background with the head plumage. Makes a nice composition.

[Dorian Anderson]

This is such a pretty bird, and your shot shows him nicely. Exposure looks good across the back, but sharpness is hurting through the plane of the bird's body (near wing looks good). Would like to have a bit more head turn and a bit more bank, but that's life.

[dankearl]

If you can sharpen this more, it is a very good flight photo of the species.

[Paul Burdett]

David: Thanks so much for the kind feedback...much appreciated. My wife and I love Tasmania...been 4 times. Have you been to Inala on Bruny?
Daniel: Thank you...I'll have a look at adding some brightness and sharpness...cheers.
Moe: Thank you. This was one of a burst of 6 images...had to decide which one had the best background, because as the bird descended there was more of it.
Dorian: Thank you.True... I guess stopping down a couple of stops would have improved d.o.f
Dan: Cheers..I'll try sharpening a little more.

[Paul Burdett]

Hi all,
Following on from the feedback/suggestions, I had a go at adding brightness and sharpness. Thoughts?
Cheers.

[arash_hazeghi]

love the pretty bird they look like our American Avocets and this one has the nice breeding plumage too. the repost fixed the brightness but the image is still a bit soft. When the RAW isn't tack sharp it's difficult to make up for it with sharpening

TFS

[Paul Burdett]

Thanks Arash. I feel lucky to get this one, as I was photographing other birds when I saw this one fly by...but yes, the image is soft. Cheers.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes, the added brightness really adds a lot!

[Paul Burdett]

Thanks Daniel!