Purple Sandpiper

[Rich Steel]

Hi

The purple sandpipers have just returned to the local coast and I caught up with seven of them on the sea defence rocks on a big high tide under a strong onshore wind. Having taken a few standard portraits I was looking around for something a bit different and noticed this bird roosting and tucked down out of the wind in the shadows of rocks. The bird was lit by a shaft of light coming through the surrounding rocks. It may of been improved by some selective lightening of the tail area but I just liked the mood as it was.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/purplesand142009.jpg

Taken with 7D and 500mm at ISO200 F7.1 -1.33EV at 1/400s.

Cheers

Rich

[Harshad Barve]

Rich
this is very moody image and I liked it a lot as posted
TFS

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the idea and mood and might increase the color temperature a tad.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I really love the mood here, and I actually don't mind the dark tail. I absolutely love the purple streaks to the feathers. I normally would prefer the bird placed to the left (with the head looking towards the right), but I love the dark area there. I also like the water drops and the wet rocks. I would strongly recommend darkening the light area along the right edge. I'm not sure I would raise the colour temp as I like the cold, wet feel to this image.

[Geraldo Hofmann]

I like the mood and I am happy with the color temperature ( @ Alex :-) two photographer means at least six different opinions ) but would darken the green in the upper right more ... in my opinion it draws away attention of the bird.
A very good capture and not the usual shorebird-picture.

@Richard ...I have two more weeks in UK/Wirral any chances to find these birds around the Moreton area?

Geraldo

[Kiran Poonacha]

Beautiful Image, just loved the light effect and the feel here.. congrats on this fine image

[Stu Bowie]

Well thoughtout Rich, and I wouldnt change a thing. Just enough light to show off the detail and colours. Well captured.

[Grace Scalzo]

Creative and lovely. I like the quiet.

[Peregrine Craig Nash]

One of my favourite birds. Nice POV

[Bill Dix]

What an evocative image! Well done. Concur about darkening the RH side.

[Rich Steel]

Many thanks for the replies and suggestion for toning down the top right hand corner.

Cheers

Rich