1 Attachment(s)
How to Woo A Wilson's Snipe
Canon 1D4
500mm +1.4x
Gitzo/Wimberley spread out as low as possible
1/2500 sec
f/5.6
ISO 800
Took this a week ago in a Fort Myers, FL swamp. I had seen the snipe fly low a couple times by the spot I was situated, and then I became aware of it behind some vegetation about 25 feet in front of me. For about 15 minutes I watched it moving around in there, always keeping something between me and it. I could see only a part of him at any time but enough to see he did a full preening which made me sick I couldn't capture it. He then flew away without fully emerging. I decided I would hunker down as low as possible on my tarp, lie down on my belly, with my tripod as flat as possible, not move, and see if he came back. About 10 minutes later he flew in to my delight, and landed on an elevated area closer to me with a clear view. I got a number of decent shots and am trying to figure out what I like the best. I figured this might be my best chance ever with a Wilson's snipe as they are notoriously flighty.
I included the reflection even though it's not the best as I liked it anyway. This is about a 40% crop. Cloned out some unattractive blobs in the water, and a yellow stem behind him. Sharpening, NR on BG. Got rid of a couple specular highlights on bill and reflection of bill.
Thank you so much in advance for any C and C.
PS If someone could correct my misspelled title, I'd appreciate it! Should be Wilson's of course.