Western Sandpiper Juvenile

[Aidan Briggs]

Taken on the same day as the Least Sandpiper I posted earlier. I chose the crop here to avoid an ugly plastic water bottle right above the top of the frame.

74% of full frame. Handheld in the muck.

50D, 100-400 at 390mm
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 640

[Jim Neiger]

Very nice, Aidan. I like the low angle, lovely light, and clinging water droplet. The reflection would be a big plus if it was sharp. As it is, I could take it or leave it.

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks Jim, I feel the same way about the reflection. I left so as not to crop too much.

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent angle detail and colours and I like the water drop. Ditto the reflection

[Ivan Sjögren]

Fantastic light, angle and sharpnes. Love the drop at the bill. Agree with above comments about the reflection.
Thanks for sharing.

[Arthur Morris]

Aidan, If you are gonna include the half-baked reflection :) then it needs more of a border. A loverly fresh juvenile and a sweet low angle. Plus the expected perfect head angle. Directly below the breast in the water there is a tiny speck that should go.

[denise ippolito]

Aidan, I agree w/ the suggestions already given regarding the reflection. Lovely pose and nice light.

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks everybody. Here's a different comp with canvas added on top.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Aidan, Lovely bird with a pleasing background and I agree with the positives above. I like both the presentations but prefer the repost. Thanks for sharing.

[Randy Stout]

Aidan:

Repost is sig. stronger to my eye, keeps all the good of the OP, and plays up the low shooting angle.

Well done.

Cheers

Randy

[MohsenVahedipour]

Hi Aidan,
Excellent Low angle, sharpness & detail. Repost looks better for me.

[christopher galeski]

good shot Aiden,nice low angle,nice colors,like the drop of water on beak,repost is the best.thanks.

[Arthur Morris]

Excellent image quality allows me to love the cropped repost. Good job on the tiny speck :)

[Daniel Pettersson]

I disagree with the others about the repost. I would personally never crop the reflection on this type of picture and I like blurry reflections better than crystal sharp reflections too.

The picture as it was from the beginning is simply stunning. A shorebird portrait in harmony, both in composition and color.

Regards

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!! It's much appreciated.