(un)Spotted Sandpiper

[Bill Dix]

In non-breeding plumage. I 'spotted' this guy at Brigantine several days ago, working his way along the rocky shoreline as they like to do. Unfortunately my view of the narrow line of rocks was largely obscured by tall grasses, with only occasional glimpses of the sandpiper. I ran ahead until I found a spot with a narrow window through the grass, and waited hoping he would come into view. A few seconds later he popped up and gave me a nice pose before moving out of view again.

D500, Sigma 150-600C @ 600mm, ISO 2000, 1/1250s @ f/6.3 manual.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like everything here, except for the FG which I find a bit too prominent. I love the feet at the edge of the rock, and BG is pretty neat!

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Like this a lot, Bill. Love the hunting intensity, and also the feet gripping the rock. I kind of like the rising swell in the foreground, which is soft enough to me, and adds to the framing of the SPSA.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Arthur Morris]

This is a fabulous image. I love the background, the soft quality of the water, and the pose. And the image design is dead solid perfect.

The bird is in fresh juvenile plumage. Thus, not "non-breeding plumage."

with love, artie

[Bill Dix]

This is a fabulous image. I love the background, the soft quality of the water, and the pose. And the image design is dead solid perfect.

The bird is in fresh juvenile plumage. Thus, not "non-breeding plumage."

with love, artie

Thanks Artie. Maybe I'll get the ageing right one of these days. I even consulted your Shorebirds book, but didn't read it carefully enough, so I missed the part where you said "Juvenile birds feature wing covert feathers marked with wavy dark bars."

[Bill Dix]

Artie, could you comment on this post from last week? http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...dpiper-ID-Help

[Dorian Anderson]

The bird's pose and focus are outstanding, a rare example where more direct eye contact would lessen the image. Exposure and detail are lovely, but I'm with Daniel about the blurry rock in the foreground. The sandpiper is so perfectly lit that helps to minimize the distraction.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. I agree I'm not happy with the oof rock, but with only a brief glimpse to catch this guy, that's the scene that presented itself. I don't think it's worth trying to remove it, although I suppose it could be done.

[John Mack]

The pose is very nice. The framing is dead on. I don't have any problems with the rock in the foreground.