Sanderling

[Isaac Grant]

I have made an effort this year to try and concentrate on capturing birds in a more interesting and unique way than I used to. I try and photograph them in the kind of light or setting that is more memorable. Getting a sharp photo in many cases is not really an accomplishment with such high end gear. This Sanderling shot is along the lines of what I have been trying to get. It was high tide and the sun was setting. I got into position at the high point on the beach knowing that my best chance to get them standing still was at this spot as it wasn't getting pounded by waves there. As luck would have it, the whole flock stopped right where I was and started to preen. They actually stood still and so I slowly crawled towards them until I was in range. From 6/1/17 at Breezy Point in Queens, NY.

Canon 1DX and Canon 500 f4 ii + 1.4x iii. ISO 1600, F8, SS 1/1600

[greg cowle]

Really fabulous. Color is great, and the pose brought an immediate smile to my face! I think you succeeded.
Greg

[loren waxman]

Love this shot! What a beautiful bird & background!

[David Salem]

Nice pose from this little guy. Beautiful background and foreground. Never seen a sanderling with that much rust color to it. Well done

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very appealing. I love the colouring on this individual. Good call going vertical I do wish to see the tail a wee bit more, but overall this works very nicely for me.

[Noel Heustis]

Isaac, This is a beautiful image. I really like the use of the soft horizontal lines, i like the vertical comp, and the colors on the bird are amazing to me. Were you using a ground pod of some sort? I've been trying vertical shots while I'm on my belly and it's super uncomfortable. Thanks for sharing.

[Glenn Pure]

It's all been said Isaac: really beautiful shot. Wonderful colour and tone, great low POV and simple, plain foreground and background that really make this little colour ball stand out superbly. Very nice indeed.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Were you using a ground pod of some sort? I've been trying vertical shots while I'm on my belly and it's super uncomfortable. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Noel, have you tried a battery grip with your 7DII? It has shutter/focus and rear buttons for verticals...

[Noel Heustis]

Hi Noel, have you tried a battery grip with your 7DII? It has shutter/focus and rear buttons for verticals...

No. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

[Isaac Grant]

Daniel's recommendation is perfect as usual. Get a grip and verticals become much easier. This is shotnon a 1dx and it has controls for vertical and horizontal in it. My shot was cropped to vertical. I use the same tripod that Arthur Morris does. its an Induro. The legs splay to where the tripod is almost laying flat on the ground. It's not the most comfortable thing but I can manage it for a long time. I own the ground pod but don't ever use it as the tripod is great.

[Lorant Voros]

Love the pose, plumage intense color and the simplicity of the image. Well done!