Short-billed Dowitcher

[Bill Dix]

D90; 80-400 VR @ 370mm; ISO 400; f/6.3 @ 1/3200s. Matrix metering @ -1.3 EV. HH.

Bunche Beach in the late afternoon. The sun was still a bit high and a bit too far to my right, but after numerous attempts I got one where his bill was not totally submerged in the mudflats. C&C welcome.

[denise ippolito]

Bill, Very nice details and sharpness. If it were mine I might crop the bottom, just to leave the legs reflected and add a bit up top. I like the water colors. Maybe lighten the eye. Nice to get the entire bill out of the water. Very nicely done.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Nice feeding pose, eye contact and sharpness. Another vote for a crop off the bottom, maybe where the reflection of the legs ends.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you Denise and Axel. Maybe something like this? I probably added a bit too much at the top, in the interest of keeping the outermost ripples on the left and a 2:3 ratio. In this case sacrificing the standard format might improve the image?? What do you think?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Looks definitely better! I would probably crop a tad off the top since I don't worry too much about standard formats.

[denise ippolito]

Bill, It looks much better to me and I agree w/ Axel a tiny sliver off the top.

[Rodney Flowers]

Great image. The repost really improves the image.

[Stu Bowie]

Super low angle, and I like the feeding pose. Good sharp feather detail captured, and agree with your repost to take some off the top.