Caught by a cockle!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Tripod Canon 5D IV Canon 500mm f4 L IS II + 1.4TC III Auto ISO 800, (+1.0) 1/1250 sec f8
ACR + PSCC
This unfortunate dunlin had been captured by a cockle and it just refused to let go!

[William Dickson]

Well captured Jon. Lovely detail and a great moment captured. I like the POV. I hope you got closer for a head shot before the bird escaped

Will

[Walker Noe]

Good details, BG and prey here Jonathan. I'd wish for a more parallel pose, but sometimes the birds don't give us what we want!

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, nice timing, just wished you were a bit higher to get all of the clam in. I would remove the white blob on the rock. Personally I like to see a bit more 'blue' for a tad more richness, albeit not reflective of the time of day, and pull back some of the Contrast a little, as the finer detail is there.

Interesting capture Jon, should get that image out there.

TFS
Steve

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice find, good timing to capture the birds predicament. Exposure, detail, and background all good. I also would take out the white blob on the rock. The image makes me wonder how the saga of the bird and the cockle ended. Thank you for sharing, Jon.

[Arthur Morris]

Me thinks that the unfortunate Dunlin is actually an unfortunate Sanderling. Bill size and shape and plumage is wrong for Dunlin. Unless I am wrong ... Daniel?

with love, artie

[Jonathan Ashton]

Me thinks that the unfortunate Dunlin is actually an unfortunate Sanderling. Bill size and shape and plumage is wrong for Dunlin. Unless I am wrong ... Daniel?

with love, artie

Artie I bet you a nice bottle of malt that's a dunlin

[Jonathan Ashton]

Me thinks that the unfortunate Dunlin is actually an unfortunate Sanderling. Bill size and shape and plumage is wrong for Dunlin. Unless I am wrong ... Daniel?

with love, artie

Artie I bet you a nice bottle of malt that's a dunlin!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice image Jon, but I'll raise you a few IPAs that it is a Sanderling, and definitely not a Dunlin.

[Arthur Morris]

Artie I bet you a nice bottle of malt that's a dunlin!

Hi Jon, I don't drink ale or whiskey but I would love to make a small wager with you on the correct ID of the bird in Pane #1 above. Say 500 British pounds sterling?

LMK please :)

with love, artie

[Jonathan Ashton]

Artie & Dan I think I have to admit I am wrong the dunlin has a longer bill, I was wrong - you are right, my apologies, this I think is a dunlin, as you quite rightly said Artie a different bill altogether:-

[Arthur Morris]

I think I have to admit I am wrong Artie & Dan the dunlin has a longer bill

Bummer! Me thinks that you've got it right now. Dunlin on average has a longer bill with a down-curve at the tip. And remnants of its black belly when molting in summer. And the patterns and the colors of the individual feathers scream "Sanderling!"

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

Artie & Dan I think I have to admit I am wrong the dunlin has a longer bill, I was wrong - you are right, my apologies, this I think is a dunlin, as you quite rightly said Artie a different bill altogether:-

Thanks Jon. A different bird altogether. Not as plump and has some black belly feather. And here is a very fine point shown well by the two images: Sanderling does not have a rear toe; Dunlin does ...

with love, artie

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks Jon. A different bird altogether. Not as plump and has some black belly feather. And here is a very fine point shown well by the two images: Sanderling does not have a rear toe; Dunlin does ...

with love, artie

I have learned a few things Artie - thank you