American Oystercatcher in the surf

[Mike Poole]

This is a frame from my first morning at Fort Desoto north beach. I was there nice and early due to being too excited to sleep properly (should that happen to a 42 year old?). I was heading out to the very North point when I saw this little fella on the shoreline and he was going in and out of the tree shadows giving what I think is a nice effect. I just lay down and hoped he'd walk past me which he duly did - would never happen this way in England!

Slight crop for comp, a little canvas added to the LHS, blacks on the breast opened up a little

canon 5d3
500mm f4 is
ISO 800
1/4000th f4.5

regards

Mike

[gail bisson]

Very nice image Mike.
I really like the color of the water behind the OC and the perfect head turn.
Your PP is pretty good but I can see " a seam" just below and behind the tail. Easy fix. Another housekeeping issue are the 2 + 1 dust spots in front of the breast. Another easy fix.
I would take a bit more off the bottom as the lightish area in the FG pulls the eye downward. There would still be room for the virtual foot.
I like the way the light is lighting up the back feathers.
I like " the feet in the clouds look". Do you have the next frame with the foot completely up and forward? As a matter of personal taste , that is my favorite walking position.
I know I have lots of points made but overall I think this is a lovely image!
Gail

[keith mitchell]

Mike I like the mush effect in the foreground think it adds atmosphere the red on the bill looks a little bright but I am pretty sure that is down to my monitor, it's a very good looking image that I like a lot.

Keith.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Desoto is a magical place eh! Super nice light, and I like the walking pose. The fg looks great and creates a dreamy feel to the image.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Gorgeous light, killer fg, bg. Beautiful bird. A very nice feel to the image. Very well done indeed.

[Marina Scarr]

Stunning light on this oystercatcher, Mike. You had a great low angle and he gave you a nice head turn. The varied BG works nicely.

I am awfully glad to hear you got some good shooting in during your visit.!

[Karl Egressy]

One of my favorite places. Beauty shot, love the low shooting angle and nice head turn.

[Grace Scalzo]

LOvely dreamy feel and sweet light. Love the hint of a wave in the background. 3 or 4 sensor spots need evicted.

[Frank Schauf]

Great pose and setting you have here.

[Mike Poole]

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

Very nice image Mike.
I really like the color of the water behind the OC and the perfect head turn.
Your PP is pretty good but I can see " a seam" just below and behind the tail. Easy fix. Another housekeeping issue are the 2 + 1 dust spots in front of the breast. Another easy fix.
I would take a bit more off the bottom as the lightish area in the FG pulls the eye downward. There would still be room for the virtual foot.
I like the way the light is lighting up the back feathers.
I like " the feet in the clouds look". Do you have the next frame with the foot completely up and forward? As a matter of personal taste , that is my favorite walking position.
I know I have lots of points made but overall I think this is a lovely image!
Gail

thanks for the in depth comments Gail, much appreciated. The only similar shot I got was as he walked a bit further on, and the light has fallen quite differently. I didn't touch anything around the tail area, but I checked the RAW and I think what you're referring to is a hint of white feather at the bottom of the black tail feathers. Missing the dust spots is a schoolboy error and I've slapped my own wrists!

The shot I mentioned with the more pronounced step is below, and while, for me, it's a nicer pose I prefer the overall look of the original but others may vary

regards

Mike

[gail bisson]

Hi Mike,
I do prefer the OP because of the better HA.
The seam I am referring to is a vertical line 1 inch to the left of the tail and 1/4 inch down. Can you see it now?!
Gail

[Mike Poole]

Hi Mike,
I do prefer the OP because of the better HA.
The seam I am referring to is a vertical line 1 inch to the left of the tail and 1/4 inch down. Can you see it now?!
Gail

Cheers Gail, Found it now! It's on the jpeg but not the tiff I was working on, so I'm claiming it's something possibly compression related!

[dennis greenwood]

Its all about the light for me Mike in this shot ...

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Love both images Mike! Gorgeous light and great DOF and POV.
The first image in particularly looks very Andy Rouse-ish to me with the OOF foreground slightly covering the leg. I am OK with the presentation as is with the balance of the FG.
You're not the only one who gets excited mate. I only have a year on ya and when something exciting is happening, I can run on barely 2-3 hours sleep.

Nothing wrong with being excited. THat's what nature photography should be all about. Being excited and anticipating the wonderful moments we hope to capture.