American Avocet Fishing

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I managed to get incredibly close to an American Avocet scooping up dozens of little fish last week at Palo Alto Baylands, CA. Note, the following is uncropped. It was amazing.

Thanks for looking. JR

Canon 40D, 400F5.6, 1/2000s, F8, ISO 400, EC -1, Eval Metering

[Steve Maxson]

This must have been a fun experience for you, John. Good action and good sharpness around the head and beak. I would wish that the head was turned slightly toward the camera. The image appears somewhat dark on my monitor and could stand to be brightened up a bit. The pose appears awkward to me as presented. You might try cropping from the right about halfway to the curve of the "shoulder."

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Nice action and composition, I just wish for a better head angle, in other words turned more toward you.

[Leroy Laverman]

Isn't great when they take no notice of you? I've only had that experience a few times and it's loads of fun. Agree about the head angle. DOF is too shallow to get all the bird in focus. It's tough when you're that close though.