Dunlin

[Aditya Sridhar]

This image was shot on a very cloudy day (at this point I've forgotten what the sun looks like). Even at 500mm, framing this Dunlin was a massive challenge as it came very close and I clipped the tail in most of the other shots from the sequence. I haven't cloned out too many things - only a couple of spots on the water and the legs. The legs are out of focus even after stopping down 2/3rd of a stop, unfortunately.

Camera - Nikon D850
Focal Length - 500mm
Aperture - f/7.1
Shutter Speed - 1/1250s
ISO - 4000
Handheld
Manual, Auto ISO
80-85% of Full-frame
As always, all comments & CC are appreciated! :bg3:

[Alex Becker]

I like the setting and the raised foot adds a lot. To me, the bird is a bit large in the frame. Details look good but some parts look like they have motion blur, although I do realize that you were up against some lighting challenges. TFS

[dankearl]

You were a bit too close for focus....A good problem to have in most cases, but in this one,
It is probably about as good result as you could get.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

I agree with the comments. I do see the motion blur, with subject too close I would have stopped down more.

I do not like the bright stripe in the bottom as it is distracting to my eye.

TFS

[John Mack]

The low angle is right on. Nice Detail on the bird.

[Aditya Sridhar]

Thanks all for the comments. I do not see any motion blur except on the legs, but they were out-of-focus anyway and the bird was moving *fast*.

Krishna - I could not stop down as the light was very low (I was at ISO 4000 here). And my lens didn't like the wave either :t3

[Dorian Anderson]

This looks pretty good given the challenging lighting conditions. The bird is sharp where it needs to be - i.e. the head - and your inability to close down further given the light explains the rest. I applaud the effort to get so low! And yes, the bird
is a bit big in the frame, but you were on top of him at the time of capture.