Dowitcher

[wendell westfall]

D90 70-200VR+2X@200 1/800 f5.6 ISO400 0EV monopod

I got lucky this morning and watched as a dozen dowitchers landed on my pond, and were soon within my lens reach. This image was adjusted in LR3. I chose it because it was so naturally and heavily saturated and in spite of its shadow being indistinct. I tried to determine whether it was long-billed or short-billed but finally gave up on a positive ID.

Wendell

[Doug Brown]

Hi Wendell. It's tough to tell Dowitchers apart; they say the flight call is most helpful in that regard. Eye contact and exposure are good, and I like the ripples in the water. I might bring the bird a little lower in the frame, and I'd consider another round of sharpening.

[Alan Murphy]

I like the ripples as he feeds. A lower shooting angle would improve this image.

[Melvin Grey]

Can't help with the identification of this one Wendell - we only get the occasional individual this side of the Pond in the UK. Very nice feeding stance and the ripples help give 'movement'. I agree it looks like it could do with a bit more sharpening but, surely, lowering the bird in the frame would put the reflection too near the bottom edge!

[wendell westfall]

Melvin, thanks for your comment -- I'll definitely apply a bit more sharpening to the image . . .