Least Sandpiper Juvie

[Aidan Briggs]

The winter birds are starting to come back, and I am looking forward to making some images of them (when I can find the time :() Anyway here is a juvie least sandpiper for now. This was taken at last light, and I actually cooled this image down a bit.

I considered removing the rocks on the right, but I think they are small enough that they don't really detract from the overall image

50D, 100-400 at 400mm
1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 640

[Mike Milicia]

Lovely setting and nice pose and detail!

Glad to hear your shorebirds are coming back as ours are just about gone!

I like the rocks as they add a bit of interest ... in fact, wouldn't mind seeing more of them if you have it.
Actually, wouldn't mind a bit more on the left either and especially at the bottom to allow for a bit of space below the virtual feet.

[Ray Rozema]

Beautiful color and detail. Rocks OK Low angle big plus Agree w Mike add room for the virtual feet and on the left a little.

[Ilija Dukovski]

Wonderful colors and plumage detail, HA too. Agree with Mike about the crop,
but in any case love this image.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the low angle, pose, rock and the FG/BG colours. I would like to see a little more room on the bottom as well. A real beauty Aidan!

[Marina Scarr]

Light is stupendous. Wouldn't mind seeing a little more space all around. This bird just glows, and I love the HA and feather details.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Aidan, love the low angle, the light and the gorgeous bird. Another vote for more space all around, especially below.
I seem to get a lot of noise with my 50D above iso 400. Did you do any NR in PP?

[Danny Laredo]

Love the HA and low angle.

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks everybody for the advice. I agree on more space all around.

Sidharth: Yes, I ran NR on the background in this image. With the 50D, I don't like going above ISO 640. Exposing to the right will help with noise, but the 50D is a pretty noisy camera.

[denise ippolito]

Aidan, Nice low angle and the soft BG colors add nicely to this. Agree it's a bit tight but you did very well getting close w/ the 100-400mm.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Magical light! great sharpness and head angle. Tight crop has been mentioned.

[subramanya_ck]

Nice low angle shot. HA and BKGR are just good.