Buff-breasted Sandpiper

[Svante Larsson]

An image from this autumn - a bird which is very rare in Sweden. I was quite excited when I detected it after which everything seemed to go wrong. Camera battery went flat, I couldn't find the replacement battery etc so I was quite pleased in getting this image .

Nikon D300, 500mm with TC 1.7x, ISO 400, 1/640 sec, f/6.7, -2/3 EV

C&C welcome.

[pat lillich]

congratulations Svante, beautiful colors, and beautiful bird. You might try a crop so the bird is in the left 1/3rd of the photo -

[William Malacarne]

I was thinking like Pat, but also take some off the bottom to just below the first line of grass and then some off the top.

Bill

[John Chardine]

Super to see such a nice image of such a rare bird, for Sweden! This image has a lot of potential. I agree with the cropping suggestions although I would give a bit more room than Bill. In the repost I've lightened a bit (Levels) and sharpened a small amount.

[Julie Kenward]

Out of all the reposts I like John's best - it feels a bit heavy/dark in the opening post. Other than that I think you did very well Svante! Good head angle (HA) and nice background (BG) with just enough detail in the grass.

I would clone out the reddish spot directly behind the bird in the grass and maybe even try to rid yourself of the dirt areas in the BG as well. I think that would help hold the attention of the viewer to the bird even more.

Nice work! It's always so much fun when you see something new isn't it?

[Gregor Bergquist]

Very nice. I actually like the first pic best. I like it less cropped and moderate sharpening. Nice bird. Where did you see it?

[Svante Larsson]

Ledskärsviken - autumn 2010.