Whimbrel

Taken at our local airport at 3:30 PM
Canon 1DX
600mm and 2x
ISO 1000 SS 1/2500 F 7.1
I was hand holding so I really pushed up the SS (and was also hoping for flight shot.)
Crop to ~ 65% FF
PP: Crop, usual LR sliders, to CS5 for levels, NR to BG (2) and USM to JPEG. Cloned a stalk of grass that was near the bill.
Blurred the FG grasses in LLC with blur tool.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

Nice head angle on this bird and I think the FG and BG are just about right. Not to much blurred FG. The colors, details and the comp look sweet too. Well done getting this local bird Gail. If it would have just flown with that nice BG! Awesome that you were ready!

Hi Gail, I really like your bird placement and your overall comp. The grass around the bird gives a neat sense of habitat. Local airport sounds like an unusual spot for bird photography, but if my airport has whimbrels, I'd be going there too :bg3:

Wonderful comp you chose for this subject. Fun pose and perfect environment.

Hi Gail, lovely low perspective, and you captured a super pose - love how the Whimbrel is 'peering' out from its enviroment. I do like the colours in the overall image too.

Great finding nice pose and composition.

Thanks all for your comments. Greatly appreciated.
The forum sure is quiet this week!!
Gail

Perfect comp with just enough room below for the "virtual legs", and the habitat is very appealing. You could not have asked for a better setting....

Gorgeous setting!
I like it, but if it were mine, a bit more FG and less BG, or less BG as is above would work well.
A more pano crop IOW.
Very nice HA and great details.
Well done catching this beauty!
Thanks for sharing