Is that the Goodyear blimp? Shore Bird Looking UP

[Phil Ertel]

This image was captured back in July in South Carolina. This bird (Plover?) was quite interested in the pelicans that were flying over. It did not seem to like them.
Question: does the bird looking up constitute a violation of the head-angle-police? If not; does it help or hurt the image?

40D
f/5.6
ISO 800
1/1600

The background was a mud flat that was not very pleasing to the eye thus the low f-stop. If I had it to do over I think I would have tried stopping down a bit. The setting were largely due to the fact that I had been trying to capture Least Terns in flight when this chance presented. I am still a little slow on changing setting on the fly.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Phil,
I like your composition and low capture angle. The mud flats are ok; its the bird's habitat. The wide open f-stop works well here because it helps blur out the background and it looks very pleasing. As far as the head angle goes, if you did not disclose the fact the he was looking at flying birds up above, I wo:cool:uld say that he should have been looking down, but considering the circumstances, Its ok... you capture this little guy in what is know as a critical pose in his natural habitat. He was simply reacting to his surroundings...good show...looking foward to many, many more...

[Dan Brown]

Nice behavior shot of what I think is a Wilson's Plover. Gus is right on about having the information on what this bird is looking at! I like all about this image but it seems a bit soft on my monitor. BTW, this behavior reminds me of a situation where I watched a Lincoln's Sparrow out the kitchen window freeze looking up for over 30 minutes! without moving a muscle! at about minute 20, I rushed out the front door and found that a Cooper's Hawk was perched on the TV antenna! Went back in and the sparrow was still in place. When he finally bolted for cover, I rushed back out the front and.... the hawk was gone!
Amazing!!!

Dan Brown

[Phil Ertel]

Thanks Dan and Gus for your comments. Here is a repost with some additional sharpening. hopefully this isn't too much. Does this help or hurt?

[Alfred Forns]

Great suggestions guys !!! ... and it is a Wilson's The thick bill give is away !!!

The bird is looking up because it senses fear. They do look up for things that can take them away asap!!!! I do like the behavior very much thus fine head angle. The one improvement you could do is a lower angle since it will render the bg totally oof f stop is fine, normally I'm wide open most of the time !!!!

[Lance Peters]

I like - great detail in the eye, agree with a lower angle - think this would have been a lay in he mud case :)

[Bruce Gove]

Phil, Like your orginal better. I think the repost is over-sharpened. Sweet image..

Cheers,

Bruce

[Desmond Chan]

I think the repost is over-sharpened. Sweet image..

Agree. Just need to back off a little bit, IMO.

Very good details in the feather. I think the lighting is also very good.

[Julie Kenward]

Yes, definitely like the first one better. I love the sense of inquisitiveness in him and don't mind the head angle one bit. Nicely done!

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Great composition Phil, excellent details and background.
Regards,

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Phil,
I like the first one better too - sweet image - well done!
Regards,
Nicki