Least Sandpiper

[Axel Hildebrandt]

A few days ago there were some puddles in a local field and migrating shorebirds took advantage of it. Puddles and birds are gone now.



1D3, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/1250s, f/8, ISO 400

[Joe Senzatimore]

Great action captured and a super BG as well.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

killer bg,pose,wing position,angle!

[Elmar Venter]

This is such a magic picture. Great composition, wing spread, feather detail, ripples in the water and background.

[Doug Brown]

Excellent wing position, eye contact, and details. Love the raised foot and the green water and BG. Very nice image!

[Connie Mier]

I love this classic wing span shot, and the HA is enough to make it extra nice. Beautiful lighting, well captured.

[Arthur Morris]

It does not get any better than this. Super underwing detail, perfect EXP and pose, and a killer COMP and BKGR. Was this cropped from behind the bird?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

It does not get any better than this. Super underwing detail, perfect EXP and pose, and a killer COMP and BKGR. Was this cropped from behind the bird?

Thanks, Artie! Yes, I cropped off the left and bottom.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Beautiful image...kinda different for a sandpiper. I like the wing position a lot. I never realized how big the wings on these little guys are.

KD

[Arthur Morris]

KD, These guys are designed for intercontinental flight thus the large wings. And as a relatively short distance migrant leasts are relatively short-winged for a sandpiper.

Axel, Thanks. I am guessing that you were using the central AF sensor.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Axel, Thanks. I am guessing that you were using the central AF sensor.

You are right, I used the central sensor only.

[Mike Milicia]

Excellent image ... love that underwing detail and the perfect exposure!
Very nicely done in every way!

The BG is wonderful but I can't quite figure out what I'm seeing.
Parts of the OOF vegetation seems to be floating above the water?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Excellent image ... love that underwing detail and the perfect exposure!
Very nicely done in every way!

The BG is wonderful but I can't quite figure out what I'm seeing.
Parts of the OOF vegetation seems to be floating above the water?

Thanks, Mike! I think it is the reflection of OOF grass.

[Chris Kotze]

Stunning image, excellent detail and exposure well captured

[Grace Scalzo]

Oh yeah. A beauty, Axel. Love that green bg.

[Lana Hays]

Axel
The light on the bird is wonderful. Very nice detail with the green BG to really show it off. I love this one.

[Fernando Cerra]

Axel, I join in the chorus to congratulate you for a fantastic image !

[John McNamara]

Beautiful composition, light and bird. AND its a Least SP, very small guy. VERY nice shot!

[arash_hazeghi]

Beautiful Axel, love the low angle, wing position is a plus.

[Ian Mason]

Just magnificent in every way. The colours in particular are great, but the detail is stunning.

[Morkel Erasmus]

this is schweet! love the wingspread, detail, angle and that BG is to die for...

[Mike Tracy]

I love the feeling of brush strokes painted in the background. Excellent on all levels.

[Aidan Briggs]

Great stuff. Nice exposure, wing stretch, HA, and BG. The eye seems a bit washed out on my monitor, maybe a selective boost of contrast....could just be me.

[Kiran Poonacha]

great feel to this Axel Bhai, loved the light, great wing pose and the water with the BG merging adds very well.. congrats..

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Axel,
Stunning image. I like the fully stretched wings. The details in the underparts are nice. Lovely.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Danny Laredo]

Brilliant capture Axel. Love the details you got here.

[Matt Vosniak]

Awesome shot Axel. The poses shorebirds give are always so entertaining. Well done!!

[carole wiley]

Can't say anything that hasn't been said...this is magic.

[Krijn Trimbos]

A beautiful shot Axel. I am not a big fan of the square like crops and if this were mine I would go vertical (with a bit more room on the bottom) or add some to the right I think. The details, wing spread, HA, eye contact, sharpness and colours are super! Congrats!

[Stu Bowie]

Well timed to capture the upturned wings, and showing great exposure and detail too. I like how the puddle fades into the BG. Great work Axel.

[Dave Barnes]

Fantastic IQ and super comp. A lot to be learnt from this image.

[Dr.Pranay Rao Juvvadi]

Totally love the fully stretched wings. The bowed head and the raised foot with the BG makes this very pleasing to view. Congrats.