BIF #6 - Marbled Avocet

Another image from my trip out to western Canada, Manitoba is home to a large variety of ducks, grebes and shorebirds during migration in the spring. Almost every pothole has some species of duck at close range. While walking out to one of these small pothole lakes, I spooked a pair of Avocets. They showed their displeasure by harassing me all the way back to the car. Using my 70-200 I was able to get some lovely close-up while they hovered....


Pixel bender on Avocet, slightly blurred the background...Thanks for looking


Almost done...only one more to go

OOTB-BIF! I like this, Paul. I guess it's an "Avian" thing, but I would prefer a smooth bg. Your BIF's are looking good as base images!

Hey, Paul, the good news is I love the PB effect on the feathers. The bad news is "there's only one more to go." I've been enjoying the series - hopefully there'll be a new series to follow.:S3:

Hey Paul, You got me with the title.... Love the Oil Paint on the body and the killer flight pose. Some of those WHITEs look toasted.... Are they?

Paul, Great pose and I like the open mouth! Nice job with the filter, I am still seeing some halos, since no one else has mentioned them, maybe I am seeing things:S3:.

Thanks Cheryl, Denise, Dan, Artie...

Artie the image was taken at 2:45pm, in the afternoon sun. I think the D700 did a fine job of getting it right but the wrists were tough and probably are toast......below is the follow-up image (which I used for my guide, using Blurb.com) to the open mouth one I posted above.....out of the camera, converted from raw, and cropped 50%.

Thanks Paul. There is only a smattering of clipping on the rim light in the image in Pane #6. I am sure that the brightest WHITEs are toasted in the original post but it works for the OOTB presentation. I still love it! Mega-creative.

What a spectacular capture of the avocet with open beak! The Oil Paint filter looks great, and I also prefer smooth backgrounds as skies or water can get quite busy.

Paul, Wonderful composition and I like it a lot! The pb/oil works very well. Nicely done!

Beautiful and timely capture, Paul. I too will hate to see this series end.

Fantastic original capture Paul!