Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: American Avocets in Flight

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Riverside, CA
    Posts
    6,664
    Threads
    276
    Thank You Posts

    Default American Avocets in Flight

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Caught this pair at my local refuge in the first weeks of spring last year. One of my favorite shots of 2012. It has some meaning to me as it was a beautiful morning with lots of activity and I got some nice frames of pairs flying together.
    The male is out front.
    Those of you that shot BIF stuff know its hard enough to get one bird sharp in the frame but two in the same focal plane is a real rarity. I was tickled to get this shot. Hope you like it.

    1DMKIV---700mm---f6.3---ss1/3200---IOS640---HH@7:30am---35% crop

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

    David

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Iran-Tehran
    Posts
    1,070
    Threads
    65
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent combo David. Both sharp & in focus. Love the harmony & composition of this shot. TFS

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    2,812
    Threads
    180
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The early morning light is pretty special David, and as you say both in the same focal plane....top score. The light on the birds is very nice, just a slight halo showing on the top sides, backdrop with the cloud band is extra good, lovely soft feel to thjs one and all framed nicely

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Memphis, TN
    Posts
    675
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You're right David, 2 on the same focal plane is a rare accomplishment especially with such a nice BG and in such nice light. Only crit I suppose is the top bird could have a better wing position (but I couldn't care less really). This would absolutely be one of my favorite shots if it were in my portfolio.

  5. #5
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    Posts
    1,237
    Threads
    135
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Crisp, nice detail on whites, pleasing comp!
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

  6. #6
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I can certainly see why it's one of your favorites. Mine too. Early morning light is wonderful, as is the bg. And of course two sharp birds in flight. Excellent work.

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra, India
    Posts
    7,409
    Threads
    469
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is master piece ,David. Great light and IQ.
    Wonderful flight poses with downward wing position of lovely pair.Bird on left side looks like female.Never seen before,but learned on BPN.
    Beautiful HA and catch lights.Bill of the upper bird need sharpening at the tip.
    Love the way birds pops against beautiful and smooth two tone backdrop.
    Love the excellent frame.Very well done David.

    Regards,
    Satish.

  8. #8
    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    8,833
    Threads
    1,358
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Over the top, David!
    Besides the feat of getting both sharp, they both are in nice positions and the BG is superb.
    Your best so far for me.
    Dan Kearl

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,311
    Threads
    3,979
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Pretty neat David. I too would have this as a personal favorite if it were mine. I like the dark sky BG. I only wish for a better wing position on the lead bird, but that is asking alot out of an already impressive image.

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    central NY
    Posts
    2,414
    Threads
    222
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wow, kudos, David. That is a rare thing to see, 2 avocets in flight, both sharp! Nice work. I love love those background colors. Great work.

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,362
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi David, great capture of a pair, and both in good focus. Nicely separated from the BG, and as the colours look very similar, how do you tell the difference between the male and female.

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Riverside, CA
    Posts
    6,664
    Threads
    276
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks very much everyone for the comments, appreciated as always.

    Stuart, The female of this species has a bit more curved beak and can be seen here pretty well. Sometimes even more noticeable, especially in shots of them copulating. Look at some of the old posts and you will see it clearly. I think Mike Milicia posted a nice one recently.
    Hope this helps & thanks again for your comment.

    David

  13. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    El Paso, TX USA
    Posts
    3,456
    Threads
    162
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice shot.
    Great light, nice background, two great poses, and great comp.
    Well done.

  14. #14
    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Riverside, CA
    Posts
    6,664
    Threads
    276
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks everyone for the comments, appreciated.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics