American Avocet feeding

[David Salem]

Captured this afew months ago. After the breeding season and the birds have lost their salmon color and turned white or light pink. This one is walking and feeding in the classic sweeping manor. Caught a cool reflection too. Hope you like it.

1DMKIV---700mm---f7.1---ss1/1600---ISO400---HH@7:30am---25% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. Appreciated.

David

[John Cooper]

A wonderful capture of the Avocet with a great reflection David. Love the soft lighting, that raised muddy foot and the warm tones in the water.

How do you feel about less cropping here? - I'm thinking a tad extra space top, bottom and RHS would improve the composition for me.

[Shawn Zierman]

I now christen you king of the avocet reflection images!
The raised muddy foot is such a great detail to the image.
Reflections are interesting. The catchlight in the reflection
is superior to the catchlight in the bird itself in this image.
Exposure looks great. Composition is very nice as is, though
I could see another version along the lines that John has
suggested.

[christopher galeski]

nice capture,like the reflection,soft light,like the raised foot,agree with John on the crop.thanks.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Beautiful light and super reflection. Love the spot on exposure as well. I think a bit more room on top would work.

[Nick Palmieri]

I love the image here and the raised muddy foot is awesome, and their color is very cool. This certainly works as presented, but I am always challenged when cropping such an image. When the crop is tight as in this one, I find my eye going back and forth between the actual bird and the reflection...this sometimes influences me to either make a very wide crop, in order to include more of the environment, or to crop very tight and not include the entire reflection...Any thoughts???

[Tim King]

There's even a catch-light in the eye on the reflection. Well exposed and executed, David.

[Arno Ellmer]

Excellent capture, David. I love the stooping posture, the HA , muddy foot and especially the reflection. Would also vote for a slightly looser crop(top , bot , right )

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Fantastic clarity and sharpness. I also love the warm light, posture, HA, reflectiom and muddy foot. There's alot to like here, good work David.

[Mike Landwehr]

David, a beautiful reflection of a beautiful subject. I agree with those who suggest more room at top and bottom. One of the things that sets this image apart from other reflection images (for me) is the fact that the background for the subject is rippled water, while 98% of the reflection is on very calm water. At first glance, there is an artificial look to the image because of this. It adds to the interest. I don't recall ever seeing another reflection image quite like it.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, love the splash of water from the feeding behaviour, and well timed to capture the muddied raised foot. Interesting how the ripples stop between the avocet and his reflection, and what lovely still water to show the reflection.

[gail bisson]

Hi David,
This is excellent. I would like more room on top and bottom.
Love the reflection and the muddy foot. Great HA and body angle as well.
Lots to like with this shot!
gail
PS Would clone out highlights in the muddy foot

[Frank Schauf]

What a reflection, and nice colors in the water.

[PhilCook]

What a great reflection and agree the muddy foot and water disturbance from the beak is excellent......another vote for more room top and bottom

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice shot!
Love the muddy foot and the reflection is just stunning. Exposed very well, excellent IQ, and very nice light.
Well done.

[Karl Egressy]

Great reflection and pose, David. The bird is nicely angled towards us.

[David Salem]

Thank you everyone for the nice comments and your input. Appreciated very much.
John and Nick I to struggle with what to do with some of these shots concerning cropping. On 1 hand I want to show the environment and give it some breathing room but on the other hand if the reflection is strong it's nice to be able to see it closely. This 1 had a pretty nice reflections so I cropped it moderately tight so you could see even the catch light in the reflections of eyes. Thanks for the help.

[Satish Ranadive]

David:
Magnificent image.Love the pose with raised foot,lights and beautiful reflection.

Regards,
Satish.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the reflection, ripples, raised muddy foot, IQ and light. I could see a version with more room up top. Very well done David!