Sandpiper (common?)

[Brendan Dozier]

Correction: I've been informed that this is a Willet, not a sandpiper
Not sure on the full ID, but liked the detail on this, so did a tight crop. PS, touched up eye area, NR, sharpening.

7D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2.0x
1/640
11.0
ISO 400

C & C welcome & appreciated,

- Brendan

[Jonathan Ashton]

Gorgeous, super detail.

[Marina Scarr]

What a great picture you have here, I think of a Willet. My favorite part of this picture is your BG and how well is matches your bird with blotches of the bird's exact color mixed in with the blues. I like the head angle too. I do feel your picture may be a tad oversharpened but can't be sure without seeing the original. Like the nice clean look of the bill and you did a good job with the eye bc I cannot detect any work done.

[Stu Bowie]

Brendan, the HA looks good, and comp wise I would have maybe move the bird a bit more to the left - to allow for a little more space on the right and top. I do like the complimentary colours of the bill and BG, and find your sharpness fine.

[Brendan Dozier]

Thanks your comments and suggestions guys. Marina, you're right, I think it is a Willet. That's twice now I have got the wrong ID! Oh well, still learning. Stuart, I did play with the placement on the crop, but decided I did not want head and eye too close to center.

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Excellent feather detail Brendan! Indeed it is a willet, and probably the most approachable shorebird. I don't think it is oversharpened, and it has a good head angle and background. I don't know if you have PS CS5 but there is now a very handy crop tool with a rule of thirds grid built in. I've included a screenshot of the placement of the eye of the willet at the so called right-upper hotspot using the tool in CS5. regards~Bill

[Brendan Dozier]

Thanks Bill, yes, love that ROT is built into the crop tool, and my goal was to mainly keep the eye from being in the center. Centering subjects has been one of my weaknesses in the past, so this really helps.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice! I like the sharp details and HA.

[Randy Stout]

Brendan;

Good comments from above.
For me, strong comp,exposure and BG.

Well done

Cheers

Randy

[Allen Hirsch]

Brendan:
great closeup!

Just start calling all your shorebirds willets - you'll be right more than you'll be wrong. ;)

[Brendan Dozier]

Thanks Arash, Randy & Allen, much appreciated. Allen, your tip will make ID's much easier! lol

[Simon Bennett]

Nice portrait, excellent detail and exposure.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Good detail and BG Brendan

[Mark Young]

Wonderful portrait! Lovely details and exposure.

[James Salywoda]

Tack sharp as a portrait should well done Brendan very nicely done.

[Kerry Perkins]

Beautiful image Brendan. I'm fine with your crop and the extra space on the left. Very nice detail you got with the 2x. Well done!

[Brendan Dozier]

Thanks you guys, appreciate the feedback