American Avocet

[Robert Holguin]

Hello everyone. While checking out the new ponding are I found a group of these beautiful birds. I have always wanted the chance to photograph these birds in their breeding plumage and that finally came true.C&C welcomed and encouraged.Nikon 300s l Nikon 200-400 w/1.4tc l ISO 800 l 560mm l 1/1600 l F8 l Multi Segment l Manual l Laying on ground gear on skimmer ground pod.<!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- attachments -->

[arash_hazeghi]

this is very beautiful, especially the breeding plumage. love the low angle too just wish the eye was wide open!

Nesting has started in NorCal too.

well done.

[dankearl]

I also think a wider eye would be nice, but you nailed the color, exposure, and the shooting angle is superb.

[Satish Ranadive]

Sweet image.Love the lovely lights and colors.

[christopher galeski]

nice image of a nice bird,good light.well done.

[Sachin Saraf]

Robert really liked this one alot...Nice DOF, low shooting angle...fantastic FG and BG...Great job.

[Mark Itol]

Love the low angle and the mix of colors. Nice pose, detail, and light. I love the "sleepy" eyes. It seems to need a slight CCW rotation?

[Jack Breakfast]

Robert, that is one pretty picture. I hope to see one of these beauties in person, some day. Very well captured. I like the eye as-is. Sleepy bird eyes are always appealing to me...

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Robert, good low perspective, and overall well exposed. I like the colourful breeding plumage, and that is one killer BG. Well placed in the frame too.

[jack williamson]

Exposure, detail, and colors are just right. Bg is wonderful.

Jack

[Melissa Groo]

I think this is one of the most stunning birds and to see it in breeding plumage is really special. Great job on the whites. Beautiful colors and detail, and can't beat that low angle!

[Karl Egressy]

Great plumage and excellent picture, Robert. I have never seen one in breeding plumage.

[gail bisson]

This is really nice. I agree with a touch of CCW rotation. Beautiful low angle and light. The sleepy eye is nice but would prefer an wide open eye.Perfect HA to show off that lovely beak,
Gail

[RAM MALLYA]

Lovely BG,light and the low level . You have lost some sharpness due to the use of converter i guess.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful and colorful image. Sharp and well composed.

[Robert Holguin]

Thank you all very much for all the comments and advice. Much appreciated.