Black Necked Stilt landing in the grass

[Bob Blanchard]

I wish for a slightly different wing position on this one (left wing touching head bothers me), but I like the image. Captured at Bob's mudhole (now lake).

Canon 1DsMII, 600mm f/4, f/4, 1/500, ISO 200, +1 EV, off tripod

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Nice capture Bob. Appears to not have a lot of feather detail, yet the head,eye and bill are sharp. Is yours a non-IS 600? I like this crop and nice smooth BG.

[Alfred Forns]

I like it a lot Bob About the only think I would suggest is a slight contrast increase Love the hanging position !!!

[Arthur Morris]

I'm with Akos on this; not one of your best. Could self-critique on the wing position, a bit flat, shadows on the upper legs, and red eye not very prominent. Mazel tov on our new lake.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

You have your own lake now? Not bad! I like the soft light and BG, just too bad the sun was not behind you. I find the shadow on the body a bit distracting.

[Bob Blanchard]

LOL - Bob's mudhole was the only name I came up with since it really isn't on the map. Great spot though! It's adjacent to 6 Mile Cypress Slough. I actually ran into a park ranger out there who told me that this little lake is one of the best Wood Stork spots around in the spring. Said they come in by the hundreds when the lake is drying out. He patrols it regularly because the 4x4 crowd likes to use it as a playground. It's not on the 6 Mile Cypress Preserve property, but he usually just shows up to protect the birds. The Stilts are everywhere there, and there are a bunch of chicks running around in there now. Lots of Swallow Tail Kite activity too. He didn't have any problem with me being there. I've had very good luck there this spring, but I didn't discover it until it was nearly dry (just one large puddle left in the middle - about 20' in diameter). It's 4x4 access only (unless you want to hike in).

Anyway - I definitely agree with the comments. I've done much better. I'm trying tro work a composition where they come in to land, and flare toward the light at the last second before touching down. This one didn't flare :-( . My 600 is the IS model. I usually leave it on IS Mode 2.