Piping Plover

[Tim Harding]

Once thought to be extinct in Ontario, a nesting pair was discovered at Wasaga Beach in 2008. There are now 4-5 nesting pairs that return each spring. Once the nests are discovered, the beach area is fenced off and protected by volunteers until the chicks fledge.

7D MII | 500mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC (700mm)
1/800 @ f/5.6 ISO 400

Processed in DPP4
+0.33 exposure
-5 highlights +3 shadows

NR on BG in PS and NIK 50/50 @ 50% on bird
CCW rotation, crop for size and USM on bird.

Thanks for looking, suggestions welcome.

[Diane Miller]

Nice to see then protected -- with good results, I hope!

I think you might back off on the sharpening just a tad. Also wondering if the "horizon" (the in-focus pebbles) shouldn't be leveled.

What is a Nik 50-50?

[christopher galeski]

nice image,love the light,sharp with good detail,nice POV,like the color of the blue in the BG.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice low angle shot and lovely pose of a cutie. I should go there and have a try.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tim, lovely low angle, good HA, and I like the light and colours in this. As beaches are normally sloping, Im sticking to your 'levelling' as posted.

[Tim Harding]

Thanks, Diane.

The beach slopes down to the water, so this is the correct orientation to my eye. If the pebbles were level, the bird would look to be about to topple over forward.

NIK 50/50 is a recipe in NIK ColorEFEX Pro (detail extractor and tonal contrast) espoused by Artie - I find it very useful in pulling detail without over doing it. I almost always put it on a layer at < 100% opacity, depending on the situation.

[Tim Harding]

Thanks Karl. Shoot me a PM or email and I can give you the details. I live 20 minutes away so maybe we can meet up if you decide to go.

[Jim Crosswell]

In like the low angle, DOF, pose, setting and composition. Very well done Tim.