Black Oystercatcher

[James Salywoda]

Black Oystercatcher
Southern, California

Well this is a species that was tough for me to get.The conditions were just right because you have to trek out to exposed reefs when the tides
are low in order to get some decent shots. It was quite the fun evening for me and a couple of my friends.

Nikon D300 AFS 600 F4 1.4 TC
1/800 F5.6 ISO 640

Thanks For Looking
Jim

[Raymond Barlow]

amazing shot Jim., excellent exposure in what I see as very difficult conditions.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great setting, details in the blacks and BG. I might tone down the legs a bit.

[Doug Brown]

Congrats Jim! That's a bird I'd love to be able to photograph one of these days.

[Simon Bennett]

Excellent pose and detail in the blacks, the legs need a bit of subduing (multiply?).

[Juan Aragonés]

I agree with Axel about toning down a bit the legs. Love the raised leg, light and BG. Great details on the bill and eye. Too bad that the bird is not in perfect plumage condition because this excelent image deserves a perfect model;)

[Glenn Bartley]

Excellent image James. I agree the legs could go darker. I would also do some noise red. on the bg.

[Ramon M. Casares]

The guys said it already about the legs, but other than that, this just looks great! Congratulations!

[Linda Robbins]

Not an easy species to photograph, and this image is lovely. Agree with toning down the legs, but you held the blacks well.

[Dana B. Hughes]

the legs distract my eye, its almost like you were shooting in extreme sun.. my eye goes straight to that dot on its tail, i would clone that out. very exotic looking bird, love the vibrant orange.