Greater Yellowlegs

[Blake Shadle]

Ok, I know we've had this discussion, but please correct me if this isn't the Lesser of the Yellowleg variety :D I made this image a few weeks back out at Ft. Desoto while out with my wife Micah, Dr. Van Hilliard, and a few other friends (that will be emailing me because I didn't mention them). The white on his rump might be a little hot ;)

Thanks guys, I corrected the ID to Greater Yellowlegs.

Shooting Solution
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 500 f/4.5, manual focus
Manual Exposure, 1/1600 @ f/5.6
ISO 400, 4th Gen M2.3 head on Gitzo 1410 legs

Comments welcomed and appreciated!

[Maxis Gamez]

Hey Blake,

Love the low angle. the surf does not bother me at all. The light is simply fantastic and the expression is priceless. Excellent work!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great angle, light and details. I also like the little wavelet.

[John Cooper]

A very relaxed looking Yellowlegs!! Love the soft, warm light Blake, good detail and exposure. No hot spots on my monitor. A very pleasing image to look at !!

[Krijn Trimbos]

Hi Blake,
The light, relaxed pose of the Yellowlegs, low angle and composition are all excellent!

I am a little confused about the wavelet though. I was being told here that wavelets no matter what always are a distraction (in different degrees of course) to the subject. A while ago I posted an image of a Black bellied Plover in the surf (there was one wavelet behind its feet below the ankles and a very OOF one behind the tail) and after looking at it a few times I agreed with this comment. Here there is also a wavelet, but it's in front of the feet and people are not objecting it. Does this mean that wavelets in front of the feet are no distraction and wavelets behind the feet are or is this a merely subjective thing. Because personally, I think wavelets are part of the birds environment and as such add to the whole scene. So in you shot I think I like them, but I am confused as to whether there are general rules to using wavelets in your shots.....???

Cheers

Krijn

[Del Cockroft]

Love the surf, it adds interest. Nice image, Blake. The rump seems OK to me.

[Blake Shadle]

Hi Blake,
The light, relaxed pose of the Yellowlegs, low angle and composition are all excellent!

I am a little confused about the wavelet though. I was being told here that wavelets no matter what always are a distraction (in different degrees of course) to the subject. A while ago I posted an image of a Black bellied Plover in the surf (there was one wavelet behind its feet below the ankles and a very OOF one behind the tail) and after looking at it a few times I agreed with this comment. Here there is also a wavelet, but it's in front of the feet and people are not objecting it. Does this mean that wavelets in front of the feet are no distraction and wavelets behind the feet are or is this a merely subjective thing. Because personally, I think wavelets are part of the birds environment and as such add to the whole scene. So in you shot I think I like them, but I am confused as to whether there are general rules to using wavelets in your shots.....???

Cheers

Krijn

Hi Krijn, thanks for taking the time to comment. Personally, I really like wavelets in images... depending on their position, tonality, and texture. If a wavelet is placed near the lower third line, has a smooth texture, and doesn't pull my eye away from my subject, I typically like it. A wavelet needs to add something to the image for me to like it, and whether it adds to the image or not is a question of personal taste. In this image I like the wavelet.

Here's another example where I really feel that the wavelet adds a lot to the image. Heck, if it wasn't for the wavelet, I might not even like this image (keep in mind this image needs a little more room at the bottom ;))



I must have missed the previous wavelet discussion, but I hope I was able to explain my personal taste when it comes to wavelets. Thanks again for the comment.

[Philip Pietri]

This is begging for a photoshop surfboard (and don't forget sunglasses on your subject).
All joking aside - another great Shadle image. I like the (evening?) light and I don't mind the surf a bit. Hats off to doofus. There, it's settled.

[john crookes]

i believe it is a greater as the bill is longer than the head is wide

Birders that I know and some of the books describe the greater as having a bill if it was removed it would be longer than the width of the head

John

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Blake, I like this image very much. Not only because of the low angle but by the calmness it reflects.
Szimi

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

... and yes, this looks to be a greater ylgs :)
Szimi