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Thread: Piping Plover Juvenile in Sandstorm

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    Default Piping Plover Juvenile in Sandstorm

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    Canon 1D4
    500mm +1.4x
    Skimmer pod, lying flat

    f/5.6
    ISO 640
    1/5000

    Not the most aesthetically pleasing photo, perhaps, but seeing this month's theme made me think of it. I feel it depicts one of the many challenges these small and endangered shorebirds face. I found this juvenile on a beach on Assateague Island, in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Many of their nesting sites are roped off and the birds were not visible, but I wandered for a long while and finally found a tiny moving speck in the sand that turned out to be a young piping plover. Its parents were nearby, keeping careful watch. It was the only chick they had. It was very cautious. At times, sometimes in response to the call of a parent, it would hunker down and sit motionless behind a hump of sand (I got some good pictures of that behavior). I liked this image because it shows what the weather was like that day--akin to a sandstorm. The wind was fierce, whipping up to 25-30 miles per hour. I was lying down, facing into the wind and the sand was blowing directly into my eyes and behind my contacts. It was pretty brutal but I was determined as I had finally found a young plover! As you can see, the plover's eyes were squinting too. No catchlight as the light was behind him, and I don't want to add one as I think that would be unrealistic. If things look a bit fuzzy, it's because the air was full of sand.
    Should have dropped the ISO, didn't need the speed, but I was not thinking very clearly as I had never shot in those conditions before.
    Thanks so much in advance for any critiques and comments. Hope the picture is of interest.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Your image surely does a good job of showing the brutal conditions. Good self critique as well.
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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    This capture does a great job of depicting the weather conditions these tiny creatures have to endure, Melissa. Thank you for sharing the image and the story. Would love to see more of these type of posts on BPN. Glad you didn't add a catch light, and I think your comp works well. You have managed to put your viewer in the scene with you.
    Marina Scarr
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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I think this is brilliant. NIce ambience and an excellent sense of place and environment.
    What photography is about for me. Very nice work.
    Dan Kearl

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    This is an amazing end result of a hard work, Melissa.

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    Hi Melissa,

    Your determination really paid off. Your image clearly shows the harsh conditions. We can see that the piping plover chick is trying to avoid dust getting into it's eyes. Very well done.

    - Maya

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    Wonderful story-telling image. The shut eye and leg position let the viewer right into the windy scene. Isn't it fun cleaning the gear after a session like this????

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Nothing wrong with this image, and it is perfect for the theme! It really does portray some sort of isolation and the young plover looks very vulnurable. Well done!

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Very unusual shot.
    I really like the squinty eye.
    I would take a sliver off the bottom.
    You gave yourself a great critique along with a great explanation of the image.
    gail
    PS. How long did it take you to get the sand out of your hair and camera?!!

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    WOW!!!! Stunning image. Way to stick to your guns and withstand the harsh weather.
    Great shooting angle, love the walking pose, really like the shadow, and great comp.
    Very well done.

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    Ofer Levy
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    A dramatic image which really tells a story!

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    Ohh poor little guy. I think it's perfect for the theme and it does tell a story and stands out as a different take on an image.

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    One of the "Classic" creations I have seen.Nicely fitting in to theme.
    I like the great self critique and nicely narrated story of this young one with half closed eye and adverse weather.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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