In February 2012 we had a very cold spell with snow and ice on the ground. One of the local reservoirs was for the most part frozen over. We had two dunlins and a grey plover stay over for a few days trying to survive on a spit of land and very little opportunity for nourishment. I visited a nearby angling shop and got some maggots to feed the birds. On my last visited I took shrimp (but no camera gear) but sadly the grey plover had died of an injury to the face. I went home shivering on the day I made this image but the experience was worth it and I will never forget it.
Given the light and shutter speed I was not able to use smaller apertures so critical focus was the order of the day.
Canon 7D
Sigma 500 f4.5 EX
ISO1000
f6.3
1/320 Sec
Processed with Elements 2. Small crop. Distracting twig cloned out. There is a little blowout on some of the OOF snow but that does not concern me, it does not present an issue with the printed version.
01-26-2016, 08:26 AM
Steve Kaluski
Like the low POV here Adrian, but as you have done some manipulation, then I would remove the FG rock for a cleaner, more 'minimal' look.
TFS
Steve
01-26-2016, 08:32 AM
Karl Egressy
Beautiful image, nice pose and details, Adrian.
Good but sad story.
We had six species of Warblers and a beautiful Painted Bunting in the area last winter and unfortunately all died when the temperature dipped below -20 degrees Celsius for more than a week.
01-26-2016, 10:34 AM
Jim Crosswell
I like the pose, details and composition. I too would remove the OOF bit. Nice image and story Adrian.
01-26-2016, 01:12 PM
Bob Smith
A lovely image Dancy---you've got nice crisp focus on the feather detail, great colour coordination bird to background with its creamy bokeh and I like the little touch of the ice patch it stands on.
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01-26-2016, 01:14 PM
Ross Taylor
Hi Adrian, Lovely image! Here's another vote to clone out the foreground dark area. You may also consider to lower the bird in the crop ever so slightly (about 1/3 head diameter) ... then see if you like the result.
Head angle seems a little turned away, ideal would give the impression the bird was making eye contact directly at you.
TFS-Ross
01-27-2016, 02:17 AM
christopher galeski
Nice capture,like the light,some nice detail in the feathers.and a change to see one on snow,I would remove the out of focus bit.TFS.
