Oyster Catcher

[Dave Leroy]

This bird insisted on having its bird bath regardless of what was going on around it. One vehicle was backing in to a ramp behind it and I was just getting ready to leave when It walked up from the beach to this puddle.

I think I have left room for virtual feet.

50D, 500mm +1.4TC, 1/320, f5.6, Av +2/3, ISO400.

Dave

[Craig Wallace]

Nice Image, I like how sharp the eye and eye ring are, the detail in the feathers and beads of water. It would been nice to to see the colorful legs and feet.

[Paul Guris]

Gorgeous, for all the reasons Craig gave.

[Myer Bornstein]

Ditto to the above reasons

[Maureen Allen]

I too really like this shot. The detail is wonderful and the water droplets are a nice bonus. He looks cold!

[Alan Lillich]

Very nice. The color match between the bird and background really lets the eye and bill stand out. Lots of nice detail in the whole bird, more than I would have expected from f/5.6.

[Julie Kenward]

Okay, maybe I'm crazy...but this is the second image where I think I'm seeing a magenta color cast. I just calibrated my new computer this weekend so I'll submit this for your review...

I did an "auto" levels adjustment and it pushed it more to the blue side. I then used a soft blue from the BG to lightly paint over the heavy brown blotches in the BG and to calm down the water a bit.

One thing to keep in mind, Dave, is whether or not you think the water drops on the bird really enhance the image. To me, they are a bit too small and without detail - I'd consider cloning them out - expecially if you decide to print this one. Those tiny white water drops can become plain white spots on a finished print.

I think you have a very nice HA and pose and I love that you let the virtual feet have some room! Way to go!

Anway, let's see what you all think of this adjustment - maybe it's just the new computer?

[Alan Lillich]

Julie - You prompted me to recalibrate my monitors before replying. I'm not very good about judging colors. But since I'm looking for it I agree the grey feathers might look slightly magenta in the OP, but they also look distinctly blue in your repost.

I like the colors and saturation in the OP better. And love the water drops!

All personal taste ...

[Dave Leroy]

Thanks everyone for the comments. i was quite surprised by how determined to have a bath the bird was. That time of day i guess.

And yes Alan, I was pleased with the dof at 5.6 as the birds are quite chunky..

I know what you mean by a color cast Jules. I had fooled with it a bit and was never happy with what i came up with.

I think the clue is the water. It was a cool, flat overcast day so I think the water would be pretty close to neutral; so a grey.

Perhaps yours has a bit too much blue.

Here is another attempt of mine. I used the middle eye dropper in levels, then reduced red and darkened red as well in Hue/saturation.

Interesting comment about the water drops and a good one as well.

Dave

[Julie Kenward]

I agree...not having ever seen this bird in person I wasn't sure how blue/gray those top feathers were - I was just pretty sure there was a magenta cast in there somewhere. And you're right - it's all personal taste...good job on this one.