Marbled Godwit

[Miguel Palaviccini]

My first time with this species, and boy was he cooperative! The godwit was very busy sticking his bill deep into the water and sand, and at one point got within my minimum focus distance. At that point, I just took my eye out of the viewfinder and watched. Very relaxing indeed!

Taken at Little Estero Lagoon last week. I have a ton of images from this trip, and I hope to post my favorites here.

Shooting info:
Nikon D800 | 500 f/4 VR | 1.4x | mounted on home-made frisbee/disc (got me nice and low)
700mm | 1/1000" | f/10 | ISO 800

Processing was completely done in LR4, as I'm trying to put together a "Lightroom for Birders" seminar for the local birding community.

Comments, critiques, suggestions - all welcomed and appreciated.

Miguel

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Here's an iPhone photo of the set-up. Doesn't show it all, but I think it gives the idea. You can see the Godwit to camera right and a Black-bellied Plover to camera left.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Sorry for the third post, but I found a better image of the set-up. :)

[Satish Ranadive]

Miguel:
Fabulous image of Godwit. Very nice low angle and composition.I like the open beak with water/mud? also.
Love the pose,beautiful colors,lights,details and horizontal water ripples near legs.
Would darken the spot in front of bird.

Regards,
Satish.

[Graeme Cox]

Nice capture, good low angle, love you skimmer pod ripper.

[gail bisson]

Hi Miguel,
I too, love these birds. They are so beautiful.
Great low POV and love the blues of the water.
I like the slightly open beak and the muddy water droplets.
I would add a bit more room on the bottom to give more room for the virtual legs and add a bit of black to the bird to make him pop. He seems a bit washed out.
Gail

[arash_hazeghi]

great low angle pose details and nice light!

[Raymond Lee]

Nice low POV and sharp details! The HA is slightly off. I would do some editing on the bright stuff on the left and at the top. If it's a crop, like what Gail suggested, add a bit more canvas at the bottom.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Satish, Raymond - I burned in the bright spots a little and I think this took care of the problem.

Gail - I added a bit more blacks and clarity to the Godwit, and also removed some black from the water. I think this helps separate him even more. I also added some room to the bottom, but kept the 16:9 crop (so removed some from the top).

Let me know what you guys think!

Miguel

[David Salem]

Great low angle, light and pose. I like the open beak too. Re-post looks better. Well done.

[Shawn Zierman]

Nice image to start with. The repost rocks even more...nice job incorporating the suggestions.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Miguel, lovely soft light, which in turn has brought out the detail and colours nicely. I do like the low perspective, and although you have added a bit to the bottom, I would have kept the space on top, as is in your OP.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
Excellent low angle, sharp, nice light, and great pose especially with the slight open beak.
I really like your repost with the added room below, but Im with Stuart on having left the top like in the op.
Either way terrific shot.
Well done.