2000th Post: American Avocet

[Aidan Briggs]

It has taken a while to get to 2000, but it has been a very worthwhile experience. Thanks to all the moderators and members who have given advice to me and others.

This image was made in Redwood City, at a pond where about twenty avocets were actively feeding. I captured this individual putting on the brakes before landing. The gray BG isn't my favorite, a result of the semi-overcast skies. Handheld.

50D, 500 f/4
1/3200 sec, f/5, ISO 400

[Arthur Morris]

Mazel tov on 2K. You have a while to go to catch me :S3: I like it and can see that you were doing all that you could to get the bird back in the frame. EXP and SH good and a nice pose.

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks Artie! I do have a ways to catch you. Can't wait till Morro Bay!

[dankearl]

I don't mind the BG at all, the Avocet stands out nicely and it is a nice landing pose.

[Randy Stout]

Aidan:

Congrats on 2000. It seems like only yesterday for me. Time flies here on BPN.

Lovely bird, sharp, well exposed, interesting braking pose. Appreciate the BG comment, but at least it doesn't compete with the bird.

Interesting little set of ripples between the legs. Did you have to do some cleanup on the BG?

Cheers

Randy

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Bg isnt that bad it allows the bird to really stand out. Awesome flight capture I like it alot. Congrats on 2000:cheers:

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks everyone! Randy: I did smooth out the BG a little at the top; nothing was done to the area you mentioned though.

[Dan Busby]

Very nice Aidan. It really shows what contorsions these birds go through when landing. Great exposure, detail and comp. Bg fine by me.

[stuart wanuck]

wow, VERY NICE

[Bob Pelkey]

This species always stops me in my tracks when seen. It really stands out among the aves around it. The image is extremely pleasing for its clarity and great background reflections.

[ramesh anantharaman]

Superb birdie, the details on the bird are really nice. the bg is fine to me and a hearty congrats on 2000.:wave:

[Dumay de Boulle]

Nice pose and comp...Congrats on the 2000. Your contribution is greatly appreciated by us all.:cheers:

[Daniel Cadieux]

Congratulations on 2000!! Your participation is always appreciated here. Keep up the great work, both here and especially in the field!

BG looks alright to me, just the extra strip of grey near the far wing's tip that bugs me a bit, but nothing to worry about. Classic landing pose, I like it!

[Bill Dix]

Great action; sharp and well exposed. BG looks ok -- the only part that keeps catching my eye is the fairly abrupt change from smooth grey to ripples on the left, but that's not enough to hurt a fine image.

Congrats on the milestone; thanks for your helpful contributions to others on BPN.

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely capture of a bird that has been quite elusive to me in these parts. Like the pose and the placement in the frame. Huge congrats on the success of your photography as well as your 2000th post! :cheers:

[Paul Lagasi]

Congrats on post, with a really nice image, sharp, well composed of a lovely bird

[Sid Garige]

Stunning image to celebrate your 2K mile stone.

[Harshad Barve]

Awesome image to celebrate your 2000 the post
TFS