Variable Oystercatcher (NZ endemic)

[Dorian Anderson]

Slowly working my way through my NZ frames. Today's feature is the endemic Variable Oystercatcher, a species outwardly similar to the Black Oystercatcher from the West Coast
of the United States. Variable, however, is exactly as the name implies, and this species can assume a number of different color morphs with varying amounts of white on the
underparts. I saw several different plumages, but this all-black is by far the most common (> 95%).

If anyone is interested in visiting NZ, you might find this first of four NZ entries on my blog helpful. The others will come along in the next few weeks. Very birding heavy.....
http://thespeckledhatchback.blogspot...w-zealand.html

You guys and gals are going to think I spend my entire life on my stomach. Glowing background provided by breaking waves.

Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/2000 at f/5.6, ISO 800, handheld
Processed in LR CC without trickery

[David Roach]

Love the dreamy FG and BG, the EXP, SH, details, colors,pose and composition. No nits here... TFS

[John Mack]

Great low angle with a nice pose on the bird. Like the raised foot. The beach looks very clean.

[annmpacheco]

Lovely oystercatcher on a clean beach. nice sand on the feet. BG terrific, well done.

[Isaac Grant]

Dorian I love your shots. Have since you started posting here. Great details in the blacks and the beach and the waves in background are beautiful. Add that gorgeous light and you have another beautiful frame.

[Daniel Cadieux]

You sure do like your birds high in the frame eh!. A bit lower would do it for me. Awesome details, colours, low angle. I love the sand stuck on the bill.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Your birds from New Zealand are a treat. A whole new world of birds not seen before. Lovely image, thank you for sharing, Dorian.

[arash_hazeghi]

nice light pose and details Dorian

[dankearl]

Excellent, Dorian, outstanding POV.

[Alex Becker]

Beautiful shot Dorian. Love the BG and raised foot. Exposure and details look great. I've been enjoying your NZ shots, and liked your blog post. I was there to visit my gf's family about a year ago, and got a chance to do some bird photography in the South Island, and will likely go back with her at the end of this year, so may compare notes with you at some point. Reading your about me, I also went to NYU (but for my undergrad) -- small world! TFS

[Isaac Grant]

That makes 3 of us who went to NYU. Also did undergrad there.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Lovely low angle and sharpness, and good detail in the blacks. I like the sand on the bill and face. Looks a lot like our African species - I will be posting a few of those in due course.

[William Dickson]

This is beautiful....absolutely no nits here, everything just 'fits' Very well done

Will