Variable Oystercatcher

[Simon Bennett]

Variable Oystercatcher photographed at Kaikoura, New Zealand. This species is the world's only polymorphic oystercatcher - some are black and some are pied. To confuse things further a pied only species, the South Island Pied Oystercatcher (SIPO), also occurs in the same area. Canon 40D, EF500 f/4, tripod, ISO400, 1/1000, f/8, cw rotation applied to correct tilt getting the feet level, slight crop for composition.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the details and eye contact. The light looks a bit harsh and I would remove some of the dark spots in the BG.

[Dean Ingwersen]

Beautiful image, head angle and details. Agree about the black stuff in the BG, particularly the one touching the throat and undertail area. Would be happy to call this image mine!

Cheers, Dean

[Ted Willcox]

Good exposure for bright sun with a black colored bird. Maybe try to darken the beak a bit to bring out more color. Well done
Ted

[Tony Whitehead]

Nice job on this, Simon. Agree re removing the dark BG spots. Lovely eye detail showing the iris spot. Looks to have a well worn bill.

[Sid Garige]

Great blacks. Very well done.

[Nagesh Mula]

Beautiful capture Simon.
I agree with Axel's comment here.

[Arthur Morris]

Witht the (rather harsh) light from the right, you were positioned well. Best would have been to have had the lens right down on the ground; that would have eliminated most if not all of the distracting BKGR stuff. Thanks for the biology lesson!