Variable Oystercatcher shucking clam for breakfast

[Tony Whitehead]

Taken this weekend at Ohope Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Our Variable Oystercatcher comes in a pure black as this is and a black and white version with some gradation in between. They do well on the abundant local clams (tuatuas) but can be difficult to get close to. This is from a sequence of images but looked the nicest as he is flicking the clam up into his beak while dropping the shell. A lower viewpoint may have been nice but would have brought the waves into the background and lost the smoothness.
Nikon D300
Nikon 200-400 + 1.4 @ 460mm
1/1250s @ f5.6
matrix -1/3
all comments appreciated

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great moment captured. I like the details and feeding behavior. Since the reflection is not in focus, I would consider cropping a bit off the bottom, maybe where the reflection of the legs ends and add a little at the top.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Hi Tony, I remember how amazed I was a few years back seeing oystercatchers on sportsfields in New Zealand! Great behavioural shot and sharpness and exposure spot on, great details in the blacks. The bird looks almost identical to our African Black Oystercatcher. Agree with the cropping suggestion.

[Alfred Forns]

Another vote for the crop One sweet image Perfect head angle great light and love the behavior !!! Big Congrats

[Simon Bennett]

Great job in capturing the prey item and the dark plumage.