3rd BPN GTG Oystercatcher

[Judd Patterson]

American Oystercatcher @ Ft. DeSoto (FL)
Canon 40D, 500mm f/4 and 1.4x TC
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 400

I was thrilled to spend lots of time with these oystercatchers during the GTG and came away with some interesting stuff...I think they are such a cool bird.

[Ramon M. Casares]

I agree, this is one great bird to work with, very good looking and interesting! You've got a great shot, light, BG, exposure and that pose is excellent as the head is almost a profile and the eye contact is terrific! Congratulaitons!

[Doug Brown]

I love the feather between the upper and lower mandible! Unconventional crop, but I like it.

[Neil Losin]

Now that's some acrobatic preening! Nice work, Judd.

[Jasper Doest]

Spectacular pose....I like that a lot. Also the addition of vegetation works really well here IMO.It does look a bit short in DOF...

[Juan Aragonés]

Very nice pose and great eye contact. The low angle is very good and you did a very good job on the exposure because B/W are not easy. I like a lot the green stuff at the right of the feet but would clone out the OOF plants in the foreground. Very good job

[Alfred Forns]

Outstanding OC and what a pose !!! Different and so sweet !!!

.... I could go with or without the plants Each version give the image a different feel !!! Big Congrats !!!

[Mike Tracy]

With the exception of that one piece of brown sea weed in the foreground and the little leaf jutting out behind his leg I wouldn't change a thing. Excellent image and well done with the exposure.

[bill kominsky]

Hi Judd....I'm new to BPN and think this image is outstanding in all respects. I do agree with the seaweed thing it is a little distracting, congrats on a wonderful image.

Bill

[Adams Serra]

Hi Judd,
Beautifull image, i realy like the low angle and the preening pose.
It was nice meeting you at De soto.

Adams

[susanschermer]

Judd, I have spent many hours with the oystercatchers at De Soto in past months. They are great fun to watch. Your image has everything going for it: good light, low angle, preening pose with eye prominent. I don't mind the seaweed at all. Congratulations!

[Daniel Cadieux]

I also love the vegetation here - I actually wish there was some in the lower left corner too! The preening pose is very good...to me an essential part of a good preening pose is a visible (preferably open) eye and you have it perfectly!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

A winner for sure Judd and big congrats. Love the pose, low angle , composition, exposure and great color and detail. It has it all !!!! Thanks for sharing and I wish it were mine < smile >

[Shawn Marques]

Judd, I don't think the angle and pose could have been any better here. I really like being able to clearly see the feather running through the beak.

It was great meeting you at the meet.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Judd,

Love it as presented!! Excellent capture!

Nice talking to you!

Take care!

[John Chardine]

This is superb Judd. The image captures marvelously how the bird preens its feathers. Was this a crop or out of the camera? I ask only because it would be interesting to see a more conventional crop with less room to the left and more to the right.

[Raul Quinones]

Great shot, very nice pose and light. It was nice to meet you.

[James Salywoda]

WOW!!!! Super sweet pose captured Judd a beautiful image.

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

This is spectacular. I love it all the way. The pattern of bg is cool.
Szimi