Leucistic Black Oystercatcher

[Doug Brown]

I was inspired by Jan's Mallard-Pintail cross. Here's another unusual bird, a leucistic Black Oystercatcher. I was told about this bird by a friend, who also happened to spot it during my stay in California last week. I had to scale a steep cliff to get down to the bird, but the descent and subsequent ascent were worth it. I guess there aren't many of these out there. This is a substantial chunk of full frame. I had no room behind the bird. I suppose I could have added canvas but I think it works like this.



Canon 1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4x, f/7.1, 1/2500, ISO 800, manual exposure, hand held

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Interesting, I have never seen a leucistic oystercatcher. Good details and walking pose, too.

[Doug Brown]

Neither had he, and he's been an avid bird photographer on the California coast for many years.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Simply stunnnig! I envy you so much! Great find, and preety great shot, nice exposure, detail, colors, BG, pose, comp, and light was a tad harsh but still good. Big congratulations!

[Paul Kusmin]

wonderful shot, I had no idea they could be leucistic but I suppose anything is possible.
Good job documenting this rarity.

[Arthur Morris]

Great bird, good image, and perfect EXP. Wish that the bird were not angled away from you. Those cliffs are no problem as long as you do not break your neck or your lens!

[Tony Whitehead]

Interesting capture, Doug. We have piles of Oystercatchers and I don't recall seeing a leucistic. I like the striding downhill pose and low angle.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Wow this is a real rare bird.
It's great you were able to capture this image. As mentioned above, exposure is perfect. Love the BG and feet. jc

[Sid Garige]

Never seen one Doug. Great job with exposure.

[Kobus Tollig]

What is stranger the bird or the name. Does not look black to me hehehe. Great shot of one I have never seen. Well done. Super exposure

[Morkel Erasmus]

just adding my VWD on a pin sharp rare shot!!! name and thumbnail was a bit confusing hehe

[Mark Dumbleton]

Super image - great exposure and detail! Worthy of the steep descent and climb.

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent exposure Doug, and this is really sharp. The raised foot adds to the image, and thanks for sharing. How are the legs after the climb?

[Steve Canuel]

They look good in white :) Not only a different color but I can't remember seeing another one with a round pupil. Nice job on the exposure as well as the red bill.

[Chris Kotze]

Super looking bird. Great angle and detail captured.

[Juan Aragonés]

Hey Doug, too much photoshop here, in Spain this guys are B&W :p:D

[James Salywoda]

Sweet Shot! Love the stepping pose and to have this bird on file is awesome.

[Doug Brown]

I think I've got a monitor calibration problem! ;)