Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Calidris acuminata

Well at least I think it is and shorebirds are not my forte at all. Captured in a central Sydney wetland during the last few minutes of daylight yesterday, about 1km from where the 2000 Olympics were held.

Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 30D
Shooting Date/Time
27/10/2008 18:39:09
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/1250Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F5.6
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
800
Lens
300mm f/4L IS USM and 1.4x hand held, 80% of full frame.

This individual was rather trusting as I sat on the grass at the edge of the mudflats and watched a number of wonderful species as well as photographed the odd one. No chance for prone, as I was in work clothes. :)

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Akos I like the pose with the leg coming up, sharp and good head angle Wish the light was more from behind you, the left side of the bird is dark and the whites on the right at the edge. Understand you could not get lower but would have been an interesting angle !!! As presented you might select the eye and lighten !!

[Dean Ingwersen]

Really nice image Akos, and your ID is spot on - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in a classic pose. I do agree with the comments of Alfred but sometimes you've just gotta work with what you've got (particularly when you're in work clothes!!). Good stuff.:)

[Simon Bennett]

Great pose, especially the foot emerging from the sludge.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thank you guys,
I was really pleased to be able to get so close to them at this spot with not as much effort as would normally be required. I thought I would have to spend hours crawling around another western Sydney swamp.