Whimbrel

[subhrashis]

Posting after a long time, I had exams, followed by our college fest, where I was the co-opted graphics guy. Since then, been to a family holiday at a seaside town, and for the first time, have some usable BIFs. Now I can pretty much understand what it takes to get a BIF from my kit, open spaces and light, (very little of both where I normally shoot, amidst trees!) and a helpful headwind to keep flight speeds low! SO all it takes is a smattering of help from Sun, Space and Wind:cool:!!!

This was the first time I saw these waders. In this, I wish he was not flying away from me, but I like the sandy background. The takeoff moment is severely clipped, I need more practice :o!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4961803085_4a38b2eed9_b.jpg

Nikon D5000, 70-300 ED VR, 1/3200 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200, selective sharpening, bg noise reduction, beach 'cleanup'

[Doug Brown]

Good sharpness, and I like the BG. BIF are tough, particularly against a non-sky BG, and you did well here. The light looks a little high in the sky, and as a result the head is somewhat in the shadows. Also the bird is flying away from you; ideally you want the bird flying towards you. Keep up the good work!

[subhrashis]

Thanks Doug, I will surely keep trying!
This was our first time at this location, and it quite late when we arrived. Next time we are there, it will be in the early mornings!

[Arthur Morris]

Welcome back. Ditto Doug's excellent critique. I would add that a pano crop from below would improve this. In addition, you could eliminate all of the white spots from the lower BKGR. I do like the upper BKGR.

[subhrashis]

Thanks Artie!
Here is a repost in panoramic crop. I've removed a lot of the white spots, but left some, because 1. they identify the spot (this is the only spot there where you find such big shell fragments), and 2. i think the texture adds an anchor for the composition below. Am I correct on 2 ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4985465474_58cec63472_b.jpg

[Arthur Morris]

Much improved, and yes, we can still tell that it is the beach. I love your initials!

[subhrashis]

Thanks Artie on both Counts!

I will update these changes to the tiff master file.

[Arthur Morris]

You are most welcome. BTW to all, I believe that this is the Hudsonian race of Whimbrel as indicated by the white vee up the rump. Where was the image made?

[subhrashis]

This was made at Puri, Orissa, India, in the Eastern coast of the country. Google maps link :here (http://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Puri&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Puri,+Orissa&ll=19.801271,85.824509&spn=0.068804,0.169086&z=13)
(http://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Puri&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Puri,+Orissa&ll=19.801271,85.824509&spn=0.068804,0.169086&z=13)
I think they are winter migrants here.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks. That fits with the subspecies. What is your first name? What do your friends call you?

[subhrashis]

My first name is Subhrashis, family name Guha Niyogi, Subbu to my friends :)

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Subbu :)