American Avocet

[arash_hazeghi]

here is another image from the weekend. Avocet in breeding plumage

shot with A9 II and 600GM + TC 1.4X ISO-800 f/5.6 1/4000 sec hand held and processed with C1P. one of the differences of A9 and Canon/Nikon DLSR's is tracking of birds coming towards the camera against a varied BG at relatively high speed, it seems to track these pretty well even when they are so close the wings get clipped. something like 80-90% and sometimes even 100% sharp images from a sequence of 100 + shots...makes it somewhat boring. same is true even with the 2X TC. Getting used to the light lens makes it difficult to go back to anything heavier.

[gail bisson]

I sense a permanent change is about to happen! Great flight image.
Tack sharp, whites look great. Good BG.
Only thing I would change is to get rid of the extra catchlight in the eye,
Gail

[Bill Dix]

Great angled flight image with a lovely watery BG. Interesting comments on the Sony.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Arash, just about perfect wing position and angle on the bird. I am going out on a limb here so take it for what it is worth. I think your images with Canon and Nikon gear were better, the colors and post processing were better. I don't know why but the look of the images is different. Thank you for sharing.

[John Mack]

A beauty for sure. Nice light and pose. Really like that water background.

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Arash, just about perfect wing position and angle on the bird. I am going out on a limb here so take it for what it is worth. I think your images with Canon and Nikon gear were better, the colors and post processing were better. I don't know why but the look of the images is different. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Joe I have to disagree 100%. This image looks pretty natural and exactly as I saw it. Honestly I often find your images to have color cast and lack critical IQ but I am sure they must look good to you so something is fundamentally different maybe our monitors maybe our eyes I don’t know what but thanks any way .

[Brian Sump]

Ari, first off I think highly of you and have admired your work tremendously, as I've said multiple times in chat and email.

You have some fantastic Avocet shots in your portfolio. That said, I feel like this doesn't belong. Even on the new monitor the head looks odd and the orange looks off to me. It's def sharp, but not the quality I would expect from you. Maybe it's just this bird if this is how you remember it.

Again, I speak with love and respect. I have lots to learn myself.

[arash_hazeghi]

Ari, first off I think highly of you and have admired your work tremendously, as I've said multiple times in chat and email.

You have some fantastic Avocet shots in your portfolio. That said, I feel like this doesn't belong. Even on the new monitor the head looks odd and the orange looks off to me. It's def sharp, but not the quality I would expect from you. Maybe it's just this bird if this is how you remember it.

Again, I speak with love and respect. I have lots to learn myself.

Brain, this isn't a full breeding bird you are used to seeing in your area. the plumage of this bird is defiantly not orange but more rust or gold, when the breeding season starts they become full orange but when it is about to end the color becomes pale. When the birds are molting the head looks somewhat "dirty" and that's what you are seeing here. Once you become more experienced in bird photography you will observe and learn these differences.