Birds in habitat- Plover and seaweed

Image made today at Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick. These young Semipalmated Plovers are quite tame and allow a reasonable approach so long as you move slowly and stay low. At high tide they were roosting amoungst the seabird covered rocks, hiding from the wind.

I cropped about 25% off the image, ran a little doedging and burning on the eye to lighten etc. Removed the flash catchlight from the eye.

Date: 12 September, 2010, Time: 1339h
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, 700 mm
Program: Manual
ISO 800, 1/1000s, f/6.3
Exp. comp.: 0.0
Flash: on, Flash exp. comp.: -1.0

John, I think this is a beautiful image. I always enjoy birds in their habitat, adds alot of interest. Your flash work looks quite natural and I like your composition.

I had the pleasure of photographing one of these yesterday morning too, but the setting was not as unique as yours...plus a young family (including the parents) ran to flush roosting gulls, laughing and pointing at their sudden flight...this also sent the plover fleeing!! I thopught it was obvious that I was photographing these subjects:(.

Anyhow enough with my woes! Nice low angle here, and a good profile pose. Good golden "fall" tones. Looks like it is contemplating what to do next with that wall of seaweeds blocking its path! I'd tone down the darkl spot between the bill and chest and the one beneath the belly.

John, this is very nice. Although the bird is so close to the habitat, there is enough separation due to the blurring. Very good job of placement of the subjec tin the frame.