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Looking for an ID
I'm new here, just getting very interested in bird photography. I'm especially new at the ID part and hope to learn what this bird is.
Canon 5D3, 300mm f/2.8 + 2x, Wimberley II head on Gitzo 3530LS, ISO 800, f/13, 1/1000 sec, Av mode. Rear button focus, AI Servo, probably Spot AF. 25% of original frame area, basic Lightroom adjustments. Freshwater wildlife area near Petaluma, CA, Sept 4. A group of maybe 100 were on the water’s edge. No cover to try closer approach and ground filthy. A few were more brightly colored – juveniles?
Hope I did the image link correctly.
Last edited by Doug Brown; 09-08-2012 at 05:59 PM.
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It looks like the link won't work. It says I may not post attachments. Advice??
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Lifetime Member
You have to click on the Insert Image button, then select the From URL tab, and finally paste the URL for your image into the space provided. That should do the trick.
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OK -- I did it the "hard way" (which I often find is the easy way) by manually putting in the [URL] tags. It just took a while to load the image, so I hadn't seen it. Thanks!
Now -- anybody have an ID?? All shorebirds look a lot alike to me.
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Hi Diane. It looks like a Dowitcher to me (it can be hard to tell the long billed and short billed apart). The bill length is not reliable. The call is supposed to be the most reliable way (short bill has more mellow call). Long bills tend to be more common in fresh water locations.
Last edited by Ian Cassell; 09-08-2012 at 06:08 PM.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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I thought maybe it was, but couldn't find mention of yellow legs, which these had.
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Last edited by Ian Cassell; 09-08-2012 at 06:33 PM.
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Hi,
I agree it's a Dowitcher, and I think a Short-billed in basic (Winter) plumage - Long-billed tend to have more of a hunched back and a darker breast, and more barring on the flanks, and sometimes a longer and very slightly downcurved bill tip - but it can be very difficult to separate them in this plumage with certainty. The juveniles (which your brighter birds probably were) are easier, as Short-billed have a more complex pattern on the tertial and scapular feathers. Excellent detail on the bird, but I would prefer a looser crop.
Richard
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OK -- much thanks! The crop can easily be loosened up without too many intruding distracting elements; was trying to maximize detail. (I LOVE Lightroom!!)
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Nice image. I like the excellent feather details.
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Thanks! Zooming in to 1:1 on the raw file in Lightroom, there is more fine detail than shows here.
I love the 300mm f/2.8. It's not the new II, unfortunately, but with the 2X (II) and careful focus and steadiness / vibration control, it's beautifully sharp. I almost never go beyond the default sharpening in Lightroom.
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Publisher
Richard is correct. The bird is an adult Short-billed Dowitcher in winter or basic plumage. Even a short-billed male Long-billed Dowitcher would not have a bill this short.
Where and when?
If you'd like to learn to age and identify shorebirds, I would humbly suggest getting yourself a copy of my "Shorebirds; Beautiful Beachcombers."
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
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OK -- I didn't know about your guide. Will do -- thanks!
The birds were shot only 4 days ago (Sept 4) at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, CA, up the coast from San Francisco about 50 miles and maybe 30 miles inland, but lots of marshy areas nearby. We have also found there Snowy and Great Egrets, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Avocets, White Pelicans, Black-necked Stilts, Gray Herons, Northern Shovelers, Coots, Mute Swans with cygnets, about a thousand Canada Geese, and what must be Jaegers. And there are hawks (Red-Tailed or Red Shouldered), rumors of Harrier Hawks, and White-tailed Kites. I probably missed a few. Nothing exotic but it seems to be fairly target-rich. Learning to be patient and keep looking around the next bend. And I have a photo partner with about 20/100 eyesight! We can't wait for next winter and spring. Summer is the dry season out here.
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Very nice bird and image, just last week I was fortunate enough to see this species for the first time!
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Publisher

Originally Posted by
Diane Miller
OK -- I didn't know about your guide. Will do -- thanks!
The birds were shot only 4 days ago (Sept 4) at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, CA, up the coast from San Francisco about 50 miles and maybe 30 miles inland, but lots of marshy areas nearby. We have also found there Snowy and Great Egrets, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Avocets, White Pelicans, Black-necked Stilts, Gray Herons, Northern Shovelers, Coots, Mute Swans with cygnets, about a thousand Canada Geese, and what must be Jaegers. And there are hawks (Red-Tailed or Red Shouldered), rumors of Harrier Hawks, and White-tailed Kites. I probably missed a few. Nothing exotic but it seems to be fairly target-rich. Learning to be patient and keep looking around the next bend. And I have a photo partner with about 20/100 eyesight! We can't wait for next winter and spring. Summer is the dry season out here.
YAW. Missed this above: the brightly colored ones are likely juveniles if they show warm colors and a a consistent pattern with mostly edged feathers. Sounds like a great spot. The Wimberley head is way overkill for the 300 f/2.8. I use the Mongoose M3.6 with my 800 every day. It is much, much lighter and just as efficient. If you do not like the side mount you can add the Integrated Low Mount Arm and still save a ton of weight.
I look forward to signing a copy of Shorebirds for you.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
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I ordered the book yesterday just after reading your post! I do hope you get a chance to sign it -- I'd love that! (No need to expedite shipping -- I shoot first and ask questions later.)
Your description of juveniles fits. I was hoping to justify the Wimberley with a 600 but now it will probably be the new 500... (Yes, will use your link -- but may be a while before I decide to spend the $$.)
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Publisher

Originally Posted by
Diane Miller
I ordered the book yesterday just after reading your post! I do hope you get a chance to sign it -- I'd love that! (No need to expedite shipping -- I shoot first and ask questions later.)
Your description of juveniles fits. I was hoping to justify the Wimberley with a 600 but now it will probably be the new 500... (Yes, will use your link -- but may be a while before I decide to spend the $$.)
Many thanks on the book order; it really is excellent for learning the basics of ageing and ID. There are lots of great advanced shorebird ID books out there and I own them all, but this is the one you need to get started so you can have a chance of understanding the rest of them! I will personalize yours tomorrow.
As for using our link, thanks a stack. Once you make up your mind do e-mail
. I have not opened my 600 II as I may decide to keep the 800 and the 500 II.... Decisions, decisions!
ps: remember, we only get one ride on the merry go round; enjoy every breath and every day.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
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Diane, you are off to a great start. Well exposed, great feather detail, good eye contact. Agree with others who feel the crop is a bit tight. A pair of chest waders allows one to kneel or sit in the muck.
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Super Moderator
Glad you got the answers you were looking for Diane. Just want to wish you a warm welcome to BPN (even if you did register a while ago!). Nice image, the IQ held up impressively well. Shorebirds are my favorites to photograph...but they are also the toughest on my neck, elbows, and clothes!!