American Avocet

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Spent a wonderful weekend at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve a few weeks ago (also had the pleasure of meeting Arash)
Just getting around to processing images now.
It was fun trying to keep up with these guys with a 2x TC (thanks Arash for the AF tip)

Canon 1D Mark IV, 300 2.8 + 2x TC
1/2000, f7.1, iso 800

I felt like for BIF, images produced by the 300 + 2x lacked oomph (likely a case of a bad workman blaming his tools), but I wanted to share some images anyway. I should have underexposed a bit here to get more details in the whites.

All feedback welcomed.
Thanks,
Sidharth

[Katie Rupp]

Very nice wings-down position, pops from bg and I like the texture that is visible in the neck; on my monitor the whites on the upper wing look a little hot?

[Martha Weaver]

I love the bokeh in the background. The lead space is good, too. Very nice capture.

[arash_hazeghi]

great image and processing Sidharth, you got sweet light, BG and wing position.

The whites represent the natural tones of the avocet which is really bright and reflective.

It was great meeting you too.

[Ian Cassell]

Beautiful image. I have lots of avocet images, but have a very hard time getting good ones in-flight (even though I own Arash's old 400/5.6 ). You caught this well on a very nice BG. Excellent wing position.

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent flight posture, and just love how the avocet pops from the BG. Well captured.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Thank you all for viewing and commenting.