American Oystercatcher landing

[Bill Dix]

The female had just flown in to her nest scrape, in the roped off area beyond the dune. This fellow followed, landing on top of the dune to patrol the boundary of the protected zone. We were hunkered down on the beach, and proceeded to get lots of frames of every conceivable preening pose, some quite amusing. Light was harsh, but in this frame that was mitigated, IMO, by the reflected light off the beach acting almost like fill flash.

D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 640, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual. More than FF (clipped a wing and added wing tip and bit of canvas from next frame).

[William Dickson]

Nice frame Bill. I can see where you are coming from with the 'fill flash'. I like the effect it has on the underside of the bird. Well captured

Will

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Great repair job on the wingtips.
Love the landing pose and the brightened underwings.

[gail bisson]

Very good PP.
The OC looks like he is landing on a cloud.
Light a bit harsh but not a deal breaker!
Gail

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the incoming pose, PP, exposure control and snow like beach. Very well done Bill!

[Karl Egressy]

Nice full wing stretch and fanned tail landing pose captured, Bill.

[Joe Subolefsky]

Great job in the harsh light Bill.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you everyone. Cape May NJ is a long way from the North Pole, but I agree that it does have that look about it. Thanks for the comments.