Juvenile Ruddy Turnstone

[Ian Anderson]

While not quite as flashy as the adult breeding plumage, I enjoyed watching this little one forage this morning. Any thoughts on cropping (I haven't cropped at all)? I like the shell to the right of the bird, but I'm not sure I like the blurred FG. I set the ISO to 3200 to keep up with the bird, but the light was good so the noise is minimal:


Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation +1
ISO Speed 3200
Focal Length 400.0 mm

[john jackson]

I like the OOF areas front and back. Love the sand on the bill as it shows the bird was caught while feeding. Seeing the feet would have been ideal but on that substrate highly unlikely. Nice one.

[Arthur Morris]

I like the SH and the good EXP. This needs a substantial crop off the bottom. On what date was this image made? I am thinking that it is a non-breeding bird molting to winter plumage rather than a juvie. I will try to explain more when I learn the date of the photo.

[Ian Anderson]

Thank you both for your comments - and the photo was taken this morning near Tallahassee, FL.

[Arthur Morris]

I could be wrong but juvie turnstones at this time of year should feature crisp feather edgings on all upperparts feathers. I will see if I can dig up an image.

[Ian Anderson]

Hmm - I'm not sure - I'm just going by Sibley. I just knew it wasn't a breeding plumage because I took the photo below in the same spot back on 8/14. The photo's not so great, but you can see the plumage: