First Light Least Sandpiper.

Apart from bird photographers not too many people set their alarms EARLIER during the weekend!! I've been lovingly called "crazy" by friends and family members that just do not understand the joys of waking up with nature; the peace, solitude, colours, smells, and hopes of a new day at this golden hour:c3: This juvenile Least Sandpiper was photographed just a few minutes after the sun was rising above the horizon...at this point I was already wet and ready for the opportunity. Also at this time the light changes fast and you gotta keep an eye out on your settings!

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/800s., f/6.3, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, slight rotation and cropped off resulting corners - otherwise FF, darkened pupil (burn tool), lightened iris (dodge tool).

Daniel, this is a beautiful image in great light. The small puddles of water give a sense of peace and tranquility of the early morning hours at sun rise. The low angle and your techs are perfect here. Loi

Daniel this is SWEET and getting up at the crack of dawn for photography is certainly better than getting up for work. Only wish the shutter speed was a fraction higher to freeze the rear leg.

This is just gorgeous Dan, love the light, the angle and the detail! Great image indeed. You may be 'crazy' for them but for us you are 'God'! love your work!!!!

you have caught the perfect pose here. the light, details, colors & exp are awesome.

Very beautiful image. Great light and colors. Like the low angle and the head turn.

Fantastic image quality. I told a few people who always complain about the 7D and noise to visit your website!
I too shot with ISO 800 or even 1600 if I need it. Not like the 1DX but much better than many people say.

Markus

Very nice indeed Dan lovely detail in the bird and I like the soft silky water. One leg is slightly blurred, I don't think it really matters and I must say I am surprised at 1/800 sec.

Beautiful light, silky bg, great POV. What's not to like. I don't mind a little motion in the leg.

Great picture, nice deep shooting position and great light.

Daniel,

... and that's why we wake up so early! haha. Very nicely done. Simple pose, but the light is what does it.

Miguel

Absolutely excellent warm light & integration between BG & nice soft blue water. The IQ is excellent as always as well as shooting angle. TFS

Killer in all boxes (as bl....usual). Well done Dan

Nice image, Daniel. The light and low angle are awesome! How sure are you on the ID? Why not juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper?

Hey Robert, thanks! The combination of the colour of the legs, overall colouring of the plumage, and slightly longer bill and definitely drooping and thinner at the tip. Plus it was associating with some semipalms that made the difference at time of capture more obvious too.