The Maritime provinces have to be one of the best places in North America to observe shorebirds/waders in the autumn. They tend to avoid us in the spring migration north, but come through in big numbers and big diversity this time of year. Here is a young Least Sandpiper seen at Petit Cap, New Brunswick last week. It was one of a few thousand birds of almost a dozen species present at the site. This one was roosting at high tide and with the limited reach of the 300mm lens I had to belly-up to the bird. It seemed quite happy so long as I went slowly and didn't swat the mosquitos as I went. High tide that day was at 1300h and the sun was shining so I had little choice but to go and take my chances. The flash reduced the contrast of the image. I hope to go back this week with flatter light.
I toned down some very white shells on the surrounding sand and lightened the eye a little. I removed the flash catchlight and left the one made by the sun.
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, @ 300 mm
Program: Manual
ISO 800, 1/2000s, f/7.1
Exp. comp.: 0.0
Flash: on, Flash exp. comp.: 0.0
Nice that you have such a productive site to work.
Sharp and well exposed, but oddly I find the bird too flat, esp. the head. I tried a version with a few points added to the blacks in ACR and felt it gave it a bit more snap without looking too contrasty.
Hi John (fellow maritimer!!)
I love these little guys. It is nice that you found one lying down!! I love the HA but agree about image needing some "pop". I would add 2 or 3 points of black in the neutrals and blacks in selective coloring in PS5 as per Artie's book. It would really give the image a pop or perhaps boost the saturation a bit. Good use of flash in the harsh light.
Why did you feel you had to go at high tide? I find that any tide is fine as the shorebirds are everywhere? Inquiring minds want to know!!
Gail
Hi Gail- At this location, although the tidal range is only about 1-2 metres, the birds are much more spread out at low tide. The high tide concentrates them along the shoreline which makes the photography job a bit easier (especially with a 300mm lens!).
The image reminds me very much of what I saw but nevertheless I'll try some tone adjustments. Thanks.
Here's a rework. I am more familiar with LAB colour processing so I increased the contrast of the Lightness channel by increasing the slope of the curve, then increased the slopes of the A and B channels to boost colour contrast. The image has "canyon" colours so LAB works particularly well (ref. Dan Margulis' book).
The repost takes this fine image up a few notches. Good work understanding your rich coastal site, and good luck making the most of it this migration season.
fresh juvenile Least Sandpiper
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