Purple Sandpiper - Stepping into the Abyss

[Bill Dix]

While trying to capture Long-tailed Ducks at Barnegat the other day, I noticed a Purple Sandpiper showing himself intermittently among the rocks. I wedged myself awkwardly between boulders on the jetty in what I thought was his general vicinity (my septuagenarian body doesn't bend as well as it used to). He cooperated by popping up closer than I had expected, to the point that I was lucky to fit him into the frame. In fact, I clipped his tail just slightly on this frame, but liked the raised foot so I borrowed a slivver from another frame. Also added canvas top and right to give him some room. C&C appreciated.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 800, 1/3200s @ f/8 manual. Gitzo and Mongoose.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent pose and IQ, Bill. One day I might catch up with one of these birds here in Ontario. (very rare)

[gail bisson]

Man, this is nice.
The raised foot and subdued hues of color really appeal to me. Love the film of clear water on the rock.
Good title.
Excellent PP work. I can't tell at all what you did,
gail

[vishaljadhav]

Wonderful image, the raised foot really makes it very interesting, details are nice
I like the water in the bg and the one on the rock, nice choice to add the canvas .
Very nicely done

[prasanna av]

loved the over all effect here.

[David Salem]

Great colors on this one and the exposure and details look great. The BG complements the bird nicely and I like the raised foot. Well done

[Grace Scalzo]

Sweet! Excellent PS work, the stepping pose is cute. Droplets on his body are nice details.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like this lots. Good fieldcraft and the processing is seamless. I agree the raised foot of of interest. Great work Bill!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, I like the eye level capture in this, and well timed to capture the raised foot. Good all round detail on the bird, and that BG is so sweet.

[Richard Unsworth]

Great PP, very good pose, composition, especially like those water drops.That rock looks very slippery!

[PhilCook]

Nice PS edit with canvas extension Bill, sits in the frame perfectly now, sharp details and contrasting very nicely against the darker backdrop.....liking the raised foot a lot...was he doing the " Chicken Dance "

[Shawn Zierman]

Impressive image and impressive vocabulary!....(septuagenarian...time to dig out the Websters!)
I enjoy the light quality, low angle, subject movement, sharply rendered details, and yes, impressive
PP work. ( I think I can make out the seam on the perch surface, but otherwise brilliant). Also, I
like that glassy liquid rock surface...

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.