Juvenile Baird's Sandpiper

[Mike Milicia]

EOS-1D Mk IV, 500mm f/4 + 1.4xII, 1/500, f/6.3, ISO 1600
About 50% of Full Frame

This image was captured a couple of days ago on Plum Island in MA.

I was photographing a small group of juvenile Semipalmated Plovers on a very cloudy and dark morning when this guy suddenly joined them for a few minutes. I wish he had come closer and that there had been more and better light but I was still happy to get my first opportunity with this species which is fairly tough to get around here.

Looking forward to your comments and critiques !

[denise ippolito]

Mike, Fantastic image. Nice details and raised foot pose. I like the high key BG and the white whites! Congratulations and I wish it were mine!:)

[Arthur Morris]

I love the light, the great bird, the raised foot, and the killer moon-scape. Everything but the fact that the feathers behind the bill are a bit scruffed up. The high key and the sand patterns put this one over the top. Be sure to put this on your calendar next year for SEPT.

[Mike Landwehr]

Mike,

I love the high-key effect, with just the hint of a shoreline. The raised foot is a plus. For me, the look is reminiscent of an Audubon painting. The crop is super, as well.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good stuff Mike! Congrats on the photo lifer. Great low a ngle once again, and the high key treatment works very nicely. Maybe darken the pupil just a bit.