I found this killdeer yesterday all alone amongst avocets. It was a bright morning, with some sun from right to left. I thought at first I was photographing a plover -- I get them mixed up. This little guy found the mud-flats just right for probing for food (and has a dirty beak and feet to show for it). There is some crop and NR and sharpening. I deliberately left the dark mud spots that show through the water's surface, in order to emphasize the conditions. There is nothing particularly unusual here, but I like the pose.
HI Wendel - agree with AL - yep you are going to get dirty - just remember MUD/SAND etc - use your elbows to maneuver so that your hands get nothing on them - my hand never leave the camera - I am a bit obsessive about not getting sand and gunk in my camera.
Will turn the ordinary into something entirely different.
Lance and Alfred: You have both offered this advice more than once before. I know I should take it! In this instance I was sitting on the ground and only slightly elevated above the killdeer -- BUT I see your point that the image would be much improved with a lower angle. I will give it a try next time . . . maybe . . . I promise . . . maybe . . .
In the mud (killdeer)
