Just as the sun was setting, I followed this American Oystercatcher (looks to be a male) for about 30 mins as it foraged for food along oyster beds in Tampa Bay. The entire BG is oyster beds. What these birds are able to do with their beaks is simly amazing. The other thing I love about them is their "goth" toenails!
Canon 40D, 400DO & 1.4 @ 560mm
F5.6, 1/2500sec, ISO 400, manaul mode
Knees as tripod while sitting on oyster beds (ouch!)
C & C always welcome,
Last edited by Marina Scarr; 04-22-2009 at 10:04 PM.
the shoreline in the BG touching the bird is a little distracting, but I love the pose with the raised foot and verticle bill, nice exposure, he looks like he is concentrating pretty hard.
Last edited by Dan Walker; 04-22-2009 at 10:02 PM.
Reason: wording
I love this image Marina! I really do. The water dripping off those Gothic toenails is the icing for me. The pose is elegant and I don't find distracting the BG behind the bird. It os OOF enough and way too different a color to be a bother for me. Compositionally, the subject placement is fabulous and I also love the bill. Looks very busy concentrating on what's down there. Great behavioral image IMHO. :)
Excellent image!
Wonderful light, perfect exposure, great pose, behavior, and composition, and even
a species-appropriate setting!
The raised foot and water drops add a lot here.
Congrats!
Marina
I like so much about this one......great light, wonderful habitat, raised foot, colors, and composition. It's a beautiful image. What I find most interesting is the "goth" toenails. I've photographed the Oystercatchers before but I never saw this......especially great to start the day out learning something new.
I can live with the intersecting background. Nicely exposed, composed and use of dof. Critical sharpness on his eye as it well should be. I like the shade of water also. The goth feet rock ! Might consider toning down the bright spots on his bill a bit.
Am Oystercatcher Foraging For Food on Tampa Bay
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