The Lone Survivor

[Richard Unsworth]

Composed today to show the vulnerability of this tiny Avocet chick, keeping in the grasses and high bank to that effect. I have called him Casper as he glows like ghost.

Avocet do not breed well here and this is the only chick left from 6 born here; I fear for its safety but nature is cruel and thats that. Gulls are the main culprits, though in this case the parents are keeping a very close eye, they are fearless birds and will aggressively attack anything they see as a risk.
PP was with Topaz NR 5 and Detail2

1/160 - tripod, Ev -.33, ISO 400, f 8
40D, 100-400 and 1.4

[gail bisson]

Hi Richard,
Beautiful little chick. On my monitor I see a purple/blue cast.
I like how little he is compared to the grasses. Shows how vulnerable he is.
Gail

[Marina Scarr]

Glad to hear that at least one survived and that you had a chance to wintess and photograph it! I think I would lighten up his eye area a bit and try to crop so that he is not placed in the center of the frame but more to the left.

[noelle zaleski]

Richard, I feel so sad every time I go to my park and there are ducklings missing but it's part of life. He does look vulnerable. I hope he makes it

The chick does have a blue cast to it. I would try and warm up the WB

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi Noelle, Marina, Gail

You are right strong blue cast how did I miss that

now reworked as suggested
cast corrected
recropped placing bird to left
lightened eyearea a little

thx for the critique

[christopher galeski]

nice one Richard,and agree on whats been said,repost is a lot better.thanks.

[gail bisson]

repost is much much nicer. I like it!
gail

[Richard Unsworth]

Thanks Chris and Gail

[Chad Caswell]

Re-post is much nicer WB wise.