Black-bellied Plover Feather Maintenance.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I got fortunate when this beautiful individual was comfortable enough to preen at point-blank range from me. At first I thought I was looking at an American Golden Plover as it's plumage was different than a second BBP it was associating with, but it finally eventually revealed the black “armpits” thus comfirming its’ true identity…

Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/1250s., f/7.1, ISO 800 (settings histogram checked), natural light, handheld, minor BG work (some brighter areas toned down), just about FF.

[Arthur Morris]

A usually awkward composition handled well; great timing on the feather grab. You can always tell the juvenile plovers apart by looking at the rear flanks. Golden is always barred ona buff wash there, BBPL always white.

[dankearl]

Sweet shot and the feather is very nice.
I wish the head was turned about one more degree to get the birds left (our right), eyeball in a bit better view.
Nice close up and tech's as usual.

[Shawn Zierman]

This is really sweet. Catching the feather in the bill at such close range and detail provided a special moment.
This black bellied certainly does have quite a bit of golden flecks going on....pretty image sir.

[Steve Wasson]

Very nice, Daniel! Bird, background, action all pleasing.

[Don Lacy]

Nice pose and I really like the angle of the body through the frame you achived with this comp.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, good eye contact, and I like the tilted head showing off the feather. Sharp detail where it counts, and as you were very close, Im fine with the DOF, as the main point of focus is where it should be.

[David Salem]

Good job capturing a perfect moment in a preening session. Good exposure control and details too. Nice Work. Wish we had more birds like this in my area.

[Satish Ranadive]

Daniel Sir:
Excellent moment captured.Love the pose,great details, beautiful colors and backdrop.

Regards,
Satish.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Fantastic sharp detail captured Daniel. It one of those images that are difficult to compose for however the tight crop work nicely TFS.

[Karl Egressy]

Intimate closeness and striking image, Daniel.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the exposure, details, BG and composition. Well done Daniel.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
I really like the pose especially the feather grab. Very nice backgorund, excellent details, and I like the comp as it shows it's interesting feather pattern.
Well done.