Juvenile Sanderling

[Bill Dix]

From Plum Island 3 weeks ago, early morning. It's tough to chase these guys down the beach -- I've finally realized that if you lie still long enough they will practically walk into your lens.

D7000, 500f4 + 1.4, ISO 800, 1/1000s @ f.7.1 manual, homemade skimmer pod.

[Lorant Voros]

Nice low angle, eye contact, even fore- and background; water drop is a bonus on the beak. On my monitor I see a slight motion blur. Maybe you could have gone up to ISO 1600? How did you make the Skimmer Pod? Could you share pics?
Cheers.

[David Salem]

Nice exposure on this shot. HA , BG, catch light and the cool water drop make for a very pleasant photo. The head is sharp but I do notice the slight motion blur on the body. Good job.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Lorant and David. There's definitely some motion blur in the rear leg. I hadn't noticed it in the body, but there could be a bit. I've been trying to avoid 1600 except when really necessary, since it sometimes produces some noise with the D7000 (and sometimes not).

I wish I could say I milled the skimmer pod out of titanium, but unfortunately it's pretty primitive. I used a plastic plate, two pieces of 2x4, a 3/8" diameter stainless steel bolt selected for the proper length with stainless steel nut and 1-1/2" washer, four (4) 2" stainless flat-head wood screws, four 3/4" stainless pan-head screws. I drilled through the top piece of 2x4 and drilled larger holes in the top and bottom of the top piece so that the 3/8" bolt head and nut were recessed flush with the top and bottom of the wood, inserted the 3/8" diameter bolt from beneath, so that 3/8 of an inch protruded at the top, and secured it with a nut and lockwasher; then glued and screwed the two pieces of wood together with the long wood screws; placed the large washer over the end of the bolt and glued it to the wood, and used glue plus the small screws to fasten the whole assembly to the plate. I put a grommet into the plate and used a mini-carabiner to carry it with. On top of the whole assembly I use a Really Right Stuff tilting head from my monopod to mount the lens foot. I use a second 3/8" nut to protect the exposed threads of the bolt when the tilt head is not mounted to it. Here's a primitive photo of my primitive pod. It would be lighter with just one piece of 2x4, but this height places the camera viewfinder at a comfortable height when I'm lying on the beach. Aren't you sorry you asked.

PS, forgot to mention that the whole thing cost me about $7.50.

[Shawn Zierman]

Great light quality and a well lit subject. Excellent low angle. The water drip off the bill is great!
Motion blur is fine where it exists in the image imo...only references...motion
Wish the bird's foot and leg had more seperation...

[gail bisson]

I like the simple elegance of this image.
Great with the water drop and low POV and smooth FG and BG. Good HA.
I wish the legs didn't merge with one another.
I have to say that the head and body look sharp to me. Sometimes when feathers are wet they can give a bit of a blurry look,
Gail
I bought my skimmer pod on ebay for $65.00 Not quite $7.50 but the lack of aggravation ( by this I mean me aggravating hubby to make it for me) is worth it!
I have seen a "skimmer pod" made out of toilet lid!!

[Joe Senzatimore]

Very simple , elegant image. Low angle is stunning , and the water drop puts it over the top.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the low angle, HA and water drop. Well done Bill.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
Great shooting angle, very nice light, I love the water drip, and looks pretty sharp to me other than the leg.
Well done.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I've heard that frisbees work well too for skimmer pods. Unfortunately none of the above is low enough, even my battery grip is in the way! I like the image alot, the head is plenty sharp, and the water drip is nice. Low angle works very well. Perfect HA. Like some others pointed out I do wish the foot/leg merge was not there.

[Karl Egressy]

A truly beautiful image of this nice looking shorebird, Bill.
Thanks for the idea. I have the RRS monopod head. I have a couple of frisbys to work like a plate. I'll have to find a way of putting a wood block, frisby and RRS head together. Love the idea.
I tried it without the wood block. It was flexing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, I dont think you could have got any lower, but Im not complaining, as this perspective rocks. Love the light, details and colours, and Im fine with the sharpness too. Enough space in the comp, and of course the droplet takes this to another level.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Awesome low angle, sharpness and love the water droplet TFS.

[Nico Steenberg]

Great low angle and DOF. Subject is razor sharp and well exposed with a great comp. Super shot !

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. I agree about the legs. I had another frame with better leg position, but it lacked the water drop, which trumped the legs. Sorry I couldn't have both.

[Lorant Voros]

Thanks Lorant and David. There's definitely some motion blur in the rear leg. I hadn't noticed it in the body, but there could be a bit. I've been trying to avoid 1600 except when really necessary, since it sometimes produces some noise with the D7000 (and sometimes not).

I wish I could say I milled the skimmer pod out of titanium, but unfortunately it's pretty primitive. I used a plastic plate, two pieces of 2x4, a 3/8" diameter stainless steel bolt selected for the proper length with stainless steel nut and 1-1/2" washer, four (4) 2" stainless flat-head wood screws, four 3/4" stainless pan-head screws. I drilled through the top piece of 2x4 and drilled larger holes in the top and bottom of the top piece so that the 3/8" bolt head and nut were recessed flush with the top and bottom of the wood, inserted the 3/8" diameter bolt from beneath, so that 3/8 of an inch protruded at the top, and secured it with a nut and lockwasher; then glued and screwed the two pieces of wood together with the long wood screws; placed the large washer over the end of the bolt and glued it to the wood, and used glue plus the small screws to fasten the whole assembly to the plate. I put a grommet into the plate and used a mini-carabiner to carry it with. On top of the whole assembly I use a Really Right Stuff tilting head from my monopod to mount the lens foot. I use a second 3/8" nut to protect the exposed threads of the bolt when the tilt head is not mounted to it. Here's a primitive photo of my primitive pod. It would be lighter with just one piece of 2x4, but this height places the camera viewfinder at a comfortable height when I'm lying on the beach. Aren't you sorry you asked.

PS, forgot to mention that the whole thing cost me about $7.50.

Thanks Bill for the image. I either need to buy a real skimmer II pod or get one made. The price is quite high for a plastic things, but everyone says it is worth having it. Thanks again.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very nice bird and low angle, I do see the ofending motion blur on leg. The droplet on beak makes this one special. I like you idea of the skimmer, may be I can come up with something...

[arash_hazeghi]

The droplet makes the image for me. great sharpness in the head. shooting wide open and bumping the ISO to 1000 might have just given you the SS to avoid the motion blur

very nice

[Craig Brelsford]

This image is so true that I can almost feel the morning air. The merged feet are a problem, but not much of one. The water droplet adds interest. The low angle is admirable. Great work!