American Golden Plover

[Grace Scalzo]

Here is another of my favorite birds from Churchill, an American Golden Plover. This is the female....she was much less black than her mate but every bit as beautiful. I went with David Hemmings (Natures Photo Adventures) and I had a conversation with David prior to signing up regarding nesting birds. He assured me that he takes great care to not over work them, and he was very true to his word. Our small group would spend a bit of time and as long as they were feeding and going about their business, we enjoyed them. When they started to get antsy, or stay off their nests, we left. All in all, a very satisfying experience.

1/2500, f8, io800
Canon 1dx, 600 f4 + 1.4tc + lowered rrs tripod

[Bill Dix]

Another gorgeous image, Grace. Stunning bird in breeding plumage, marvelous tundra, great light, perfect pose. What a trip you must have had.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Churchill was good to you Grace, wonderful image. Nice colors, HA and composition. I like the out of focus blossoms.

[Raybel Robles]

Great image and what a beautiful bird. Here were I live there is only 1 Golden Plover in the island that it comes in every year together with a flock of Black Bellied Plovers to the same spot. The bird is very shy and I have never been able to get close to it. Hopefully one day.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Super image, Grace. Beautiful bird and wonderful plumage captured so well. Having photographed the European Golden Plover, it's interesting to see the differences. Like your composition with the purple flowers adding to the IQ.




Geoffrey

[Shawn Zierman]

Gorgeous image and wonderful background information Grace....no surprise there at all imo....you're a professional after all :)...imo. A nice stately pose, with yummy tundra surroundings. Love the placement and size of the subject in the frame. Glad that you were able to get a little seperation in the legs.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the alert pose, IQ, composition, setting and BG. A beautiful image Grace!

[Grace Scalzo]

Thank you everyone. It is nice when things come together as hoped for. Shawn, I can only dream about making my living photographing birds...meanwhile, not quitting my day job.

[dankearl]

Your work lately has been over the top.
The finest bird photographer out there these days in my opinion.

[Greg Oakley]

Stunning image as usual Grace

[keith mitchell]

Grace think it's all been said, it really is an excellent image.

Keith.

[gail bisson]

A stunning shot Grace. Love, love, the flowers in the BG and so nice to see that foot.
No nits whatsoever from me!
Kudos,
Gail

[Grace Scalzo]

Thank you kindly everyone. It certainly helps in the creation of avain photographs to have some gorgous subjects in great light. Makes my task that much easier. :) And do keep in mind that you do not see my delete bin.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Highly appealing setting here, and the subject looks pretty darn good too. Great light, perfect head angle. I'd be tempted to burn the whitish area right in front of the legs, but man this is visual eye candy!

[mohammad reza shahab]

Great alert pose,Composition and very nice BG.