Semipalm Plover in morning light

[Bill Dix]

By the time I looked up from the Yellowlegs and noticed this fellow, he had moved a little too far to my right, so light and HA are not quite perfect. Jamaica Bay last Friday. About an hour after sunrise, but sun was still trying to penetrate the haze over JFK. Removed some debris from foreground water.

D90 | 80-400 VR @ 400mm | ISO 800 | 1/2000s @ f/7.1 | -0.3 EV | HH

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Bill, I find the HA fine w.r.t the light angle and the running pose. This is super sweet shot with nice calm water and reflection. Loved the way you got the softness in the feathers out. I like the light too. Superb pose. Only suggestion is to add tad more room at the bottom.

[Eric Diller]

Well captured....love it!

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely motion in the pose and works beautifully with the smooth water, Bill. Light angle not ideal as you noted but the haze diffusing it has given a big enough light source that the image isn't suffering much. As presented I would crop a bit from above.

[Arthur Morris]

Love the raised foot, the still water, and the soft light. And good self-critique to keep the HA Police at bay :) This is a quite worn adult.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all for the comments.

Kaustubh, I would have liked a little more at the bottom, but that exposed the reflection of the belly which didn't seem to enhance the image.
Tony, Some off the top will help to shift the bird a bit upwards in the frame. Thanks for the suggestion;
Artie, Thanks for looking. I had thought it might be a juvi, so I appreciate the ID.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Bill. YAW. Highly recommended for the basics or shorebird identification and ageing: my Shorebirds; Beautiful Beachcombers. You can get a signed copy through the BAA On-Line store. :)

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Bill, I see what you are saying. got it.

[Arthur Morris]

Good idea to ix-nay the belly reflection. After a second look I would suggest a crop from the top.

[denise ippolito]

Bill, It looks like you made the best pleasing image considering all the circumstances. I like the calm water and the light looks nice.

[Austin Thomas]

Hi Bill, I really like the calmness of the water surface and the colouring as well. The bird is a nice size in the frame and I wouldn't rush to crop much off the top personally.

tfs

Austin

[Nico Steenberg]

Great shooting angle and light. Like the foot up pose. Comp work for me as is. Subject is sharp and well exposed.