Hopping Dunlin

On my trip a couple of weeks ago at Little Estero Lagoon I had the pleasure of adding the Dunlin to my life list. I'd seen them earlier that day, but they didn't want to stay still ... the closer I got, the further they moved away. Later that afternoon I decided to take it real slow. I started on my belly about 20 yds away and took some small in the frame shots. Using my elbows, I slowly got closer and closer (the camera/lens was on a DIY frisbee pod). By the time I was within full frame distance (about 15 minutes later), this guy had settled down and was taking a nap on one leg. For one reason or another, he decided it was time to move about a foot to my left and instead of bringing down the second leg, he decided to take a couple of hops and continue his nap. Pretty neat to watch!

Shooting info:
Nikon D800 | 500 f/4 VR
1/1250" | f/8 | ISO 640

Nicely done, Miguel. I love the hopping pose, the breeding plumage, and the frisbee-low POV. Good fieldcraft, and congrats on the lifer. Obviously he was concentrating on his hop and not on you, so I personally don't miss the head turn. f/8 was a good choice, and even at that the DOF falls off just a little given how close you were.

Great looking bird in full breeding plumage, Miguel. Excellent shot, you worked for it. Great job.

Terrific shot.
Excellent timing, great low angle, and nice details.
Very well done.

Beautiful image, with great details, lovely colors, and nice foot action. Good story about the patience you needed to get the shot. Well done.

Richard

Nice low angle, details, exposure, BG...action. When sun is high like this, at times we don't get the catchlight...that would have definitely improved it. Nice image, nevertheless.

Great detail and color on this bird. A unique photo with only one leg showing.

Jack

Great detail and execution for getting closer. Love that elbow drag crawl we do.:)

Your patience paid off Miguel. Wonderful angle and action. Nicely done!

Really nice and great low shooting angle. Great job,

Congrats on getting such a lovely shot of this one Miguel, the sun has lit up the colored back feathers beautifully, sharp focus and detail and a bonus with the unusual one leg pose