Ice Statue

[Brian Sump]

190628

Went out Tuesday morning to shoot shorebirds at 20 degrees F. A thin layer of ice had formed around the islands and I was afraid I wound't get any worthwhile shots.

My fingers were numb but I was delighted when this male Avocet landed with his counterpart. They were a bit perplexed and only stayed for a minute. The ice presented a bit of a different view of this species than I've seen.

Battled a bit of atmospheric distortion. Also, first go for me with the R6 (bought for my wife to do portrait/family shots). I think the IQ held up...

R6
840mm
Handheld
ISO 1250
1/6400
f7.1

LR and PS, DN

[gail bisson]

Really nice Brian!
Love the perky pose and the nice leg position and clear view of the feet.
Exposure is perfect on the whites and I love the hint of head turn.
I would love to see this guys in full breeding colors someday. Where was this taken?
Gail

[Kurt Bowman]

Very nice Brian. I like the low POV, head turn and light. Not sure I have ever seen Avocets on ice before. Interesting to say the least. Nice work!

[Randy Stout]

Brian:

Fine techs, but the ice makes it unique. Excellent shooting angle, subject isolation. Sweet.

Cheers

Randy

[annmpacheco]

Chilly feet for that pretty avocet? Super detail and love the colors against the steel grays...

[Paul Burdett]

Brian: your photos continue to inspire and motivate me. Simply beautiful. I love the softness in the plumage...(is it possible though to extract more detail in the brown feathers?)

[Volkan Akgul]

:5

congratulations Brian.

[Jack Backs]

Beautiful, no nits

[Bill Dix]

Sweet. Beautiful breeding colors, perfect HA. The ice really isolates the bird from any distractions. Gorgeous, unique shot.

[Jesse Helton]

Very nice picture. I really like the background and the pose of the bird. As others have said, the ice adds a unique element to the image.

[dankearl]

Very nice pose and IQ..

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Brian ... very nice overall image .
Lovely rendered color palette , perfect tonal range ... what's not to like here !!!
Hope you have the permission from your wife to shoot with her camera :w3.

Comp and the clean design are showing your " watermark " .

Well done and a pleasure to view , TFS Andreas

[Brian Sump]

Really nice Brian!
Love the perky pose and the nice leg position and clear view of the feet.
Exposure is perfect on the whites and I love the hint of head turn.
I would love to see this guys in full breeding colors someday. Where was this taken?
Gail

Gail, for sure. They are a real treat with the electric orange hair-do going on :-)

This was in Arvada, a north suburb of Denver. I have a beautiful spot in a preserve where almost no one goes and I can get close (with care during nesting season of course)


Very nice Brian. I like the low POV, head turn and light. Not sure I have ever seen Avocets on ice before. Interesting to say the least. Nice work!

Kurt, so very much appreciated. Was definitely a first for me, and a cold one!!!

Really enjoyed this morning!


Brian:

Fine techs, but the ice makes it unique. Excellent shooting angle, subject isolation. Sweet.

Cheers

Randy

Randy, that's great and I agree, the ice is cool (no pun!). Appreciate your comments my friend!


Chilly feet for that pretty avocet? Super detail and love the colors against the steel grays...

Ann, thank you greatly! Glad you liked it.... I bet his feet weren't near as cold as my fingers ;-p


Brian: your photos continue to inspire and motivate me. Simply beautiful. I love the softness in the plumage...(is it possible though to extract more detail in the brown feathers?)

Paul, it's very meaningful to me that you find inspiration in these posts. You're coming a long way and I am enjoying seeing you improve every week!


:5

congratulations Brian.

Volkan, thank you very much amigo!


Beautiful, no nits

Jack, thanks a million!


Sweet. Beautiful breeding colors, perfect HA. The ice really isolates the bird from any distractions. Gorgeous, unique shot.

Bill, so kind thank you. Really grateful for your gracious words!


Very nice picture. I really like the background and the pose of the bird. As others have said, the ice adds a unique element to the image.

Thank you Jesse, much appreciated!


Very nice pose and IQ..

Thanks a bunch Dan!


Hi Brian ... very nice overall image .
Lovely rendered color palette , perfect tonal range ... what's not to like here !!!
Hope you have the permission from your wife to shoot with her camera :w3.

Comp and the clean design are showing your " watermark " .

Well done and a pleasure to view , TFS Andreas

Andreas, appreciate your meaningful words. That you can see some commonality in my posts I think is a good thing :-)

[John Mack]

Gotta love a bird on some ice. Terrific pose. Framing is dead on.