Black-winged Stilt

[Tom Rambaut]

Finally had a morning out yesterday. It was cloudy with the sun pokeing its head through at times.This individual was very easy to get close to. Of the 25 or so stilts on the pond this one often came well within my minimun focusing range. No hide, I was just sitting on the ground.

7d, 500mm + 1.4ext, 1/320 @ 6.3, Iso 400, +1/3 ev. I need to get a flash! Tripod mounted.

Maybe a tad more HA toward us? There was a lot of feather matter and other stuff on the surface of the water - I cloned a few spots out around the head and beak but left the rest.

Thanks, Tom.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice of it to come so close to you. Overall pose good but yes to a bit more HA, IMO. I would alo play with the iris a bit to make the full red circumference around the iris more visible. I could also go for a looser comp especially below and right. There is a spot below the bill that still looks like it was post-processed...just a bit more finishing touch needed there. Good job on the exposure, and I like the brush-like strokes in parts of the water.

[Tom Rambaut]

Good point on the eye Daniel. I thought about it but did not do it.

The cloning was sub par - may redo that.

[Michael Stern]

Very well done! We are used to seeing Black Neck Stilts...Everglades mostly..
Mike

[James Salywoda]

I like the falling water drop Tom beautiful shot.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great IQ and the drop from the beak really adds for me..Nicely done here Tom