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Thread: Western Sandpiper about to eject a pellet.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Default Western Sandpiper about to eject a pellet.

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    What is going to the shore without photgoraphing shorebirds!! This Western Sandpiper, in non-breeding (or winter) plumage, seemed to have something caught in its throat. It kept "gagging" like this until it ejected a pellet of undigestible materials. This is normal behaviour among shorebirds (and other families, such as owls), so nothing to worry about...it was not going to choke to death! :-)

    Estero Lagoon (afternoon).

    Canon 1D MKIV + 100-400L + 1.4 TC @ 560mm, aperture priority, evaluative metering, 1/2000s., f/9, ISO 400, -0.7EC, handheld, 75% FF

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    I like the background and soft light.

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    Nice detail here Daniel.

    I'm glad you explained this pose. I would have thought that this bird was calling or somethning.

  4. #4
    Ofer Levy
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    This is a lovely behaviour image. Excellent techs and composition. Looks a bit dark and flat on my monitor. Here is a repost with slight levels and vibrance adjustments. Would love to hear your thoughts.

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    Very nice Daniel - I like the pose. Like Ofer, I am glad you explained the behaviour as I would not have known what was being depicted. I definitely prefer the more vibrant repost.

    Just looking at the technical specs - did you bite the bullet on a new 1DIV body?

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    Daniel, terrific pose and low angle. Agree with Ofer and like the brightness in his repost. Composition is perfect IMO.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ofer Levy View Post
    This is a lovely behaviour image. Excellent techs and composition. Looks a bit dark and flat on my monitor. Here is a repost with slight levels and vibrance adjustments. Would love to hear your thoughts.
    Hey Ofer, thanks for taking the time to tweak my image! I do find it more appealing, especially the vibrance. Some of the whites are pushing it IMO, but not always easy with a small resolution image.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Dyck View Post
    Very nice Daniel - I like the pose. Like Ofer, I am glad you explained the behaviour as I would not have known what was being depicted. I definitely prefer the more vibrant repost.

    Just looking at the technical specs - did you bite the bullet on a new 1DIV body?
    Jeff, my 40D crapped out in Florida...instead of using my 30D backup Artie kindly offered a 1D MKIV to use for a few days. 30D...MKVI...the choice was an easy one.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Kingfishers do this too - re- gurtitate the bones of the fish. Well timed for the moment, and you have brought out the feather detail very well. Overall sharp, and I like the BG. Ofer's repost does seem to pop a touch more.

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    Nice image Daniel! I like the low angle, pose and sharpness.

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    The feather detail is superb, not to mention the great head angle. Killer soft light, like the repost of Ofer, it pops slightly better on my screen TFS

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Daniel:

    A good teaching image for me. I wasn't aware that shorebirds cast pellets.

    The repost does give it more pop, but getting a bit too contrasty on my monitor, so as often the case, somewhere in between perhaps.

    Good shooting angle.

    Some might consider removing the specular highlights on the tip of the bill. I often leave them, but have heard it mentioned once or twice here

    Congrats on 8000 and counting posts! Looks like I will never catch you.

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  12. #12
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hey Daniel,
    Very cool behaviour! I'm with Randy....ofer's whites look a bit toasted.....so just dial them down a touch and this will work with the tweak! Great angle too!

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    absolutely brilliant work on this one Dan, one of your finest captures from your trip,,, Canon should use your work to promote the 100-400

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    Repost looks better and I like the open mouth...Good feather detail

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