Dunlin

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Captured this image a few days ago at Sandy Hook, NJ. C&C welcome.

D500, Nikon 500mm f/4G + 1.4 TC, 1/3200s, f 6.3, ISO 2500, Gitzo, Wimberley Gimbal head.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Bill Dix]

Handsomely captured. I was sitting closer to the water than you were, and when he suddenly walked right in front of me - almost into me - I clipped his legs. This is a 1st winter bird. This species begins it's molt prior to leaving the northern breeding grounds, so a full juvenile plumage is rarely seen here. Artie, in his informative "Shorebirds: Beautiful Beachcombers" states that "In first winter plumage, a few anterior scapulars, fringed reddish-orange, are retained at least through early fall." This is illustrated very nicely in your image. My only wish would be for a slightly cleaner beach, but that's the problem with Sandy Hook.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautifully captured I like the pose and the natural settings.

[Jake Levin]

Great shot! The whole bird is in focus and the shells on the beach don't bother me; that's how it normally looks in nature! I might clone or spot-heal those one or two little white dots on the bird's bill, but everything else looks good to me.

Jake

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Geoffrey, beautiful little bird, really nice image. Nice colors, sharp detail, perfect background... thank you for sharing.

[Arthur Morris]

Handsomely captured. I was sitting closer to the water than you were, and when he suddenly walked right in front of me - almost into me - I clipped his legs. This is a 1st winter bird. This species begins it's molt prior to leaving the northern breeding grounds, so a full juvenile plumage is rarely seen here. Artie, in his informative "Shorebirds: Beautiful Beachcombers" states that "In first winter plumage, a few anterior scapulars, fringed reddish-orange, are retained at least through early fall." This is illustrated very nicely in your image. My only wish would be for a slightly cleaner beach, but that's the problem with Sandy Hook.

Hey Bill, I have not seen one of these in years. Actually, this bird is pretty much a worn juvenile. The only first winter molt (if any) might be on the very upper back ... None of the coverts or tertials are molted (as they usually would be). Thanks for the http://birdsasart-shop.com/shorebird...-beachcombers/http://birdsasart-shop.com/shorebird...-beachcombers/ mention :) My first book.

[Arthur Morris]

Geoffrey, Beautiful bird, well photographed. I'd spend about an hour on beach clean-up :(

with love, artie

[William Dickson]

Great colours Geoffrey. The details on the bird really shine against that BG. Very nice.

Will

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Bill, thanks for all the research you put in, and Artie for your input. In light of your description Artie, would you be able to change the prefix to Theme for me? Thank you in advance.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu