Oystercatchers in Lockstep

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 7D
500mm
Gitzo/Wimberley
Standing in water

A/V mode
ISO 400
f/8
1/1600

Taken on my outing with James Shadle last Feb at Alafia Banks, Tampa. We were standing in the water and sun was going down behind us. Light was still a bit harsh here but I liked the synchrony of the oystercatchers' stepping, and the water splashes. (I included this shot, along with others I took that day, as part of my online show as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Featured Photographer of the Month, see http://www.birds.cornell.edu/page.aspx?pid=2319 if interested).

I cropped about 50%. Worked a bit on toning down the whites, mainly by using Recovery in S/H. Also used Brush tool with low opacity, sampling other areas. Sharpened. Cleaned some feathers and white spots off bills.

I hope you enjoy it. All comments and critiques very welcome. Thanks for looking.

[gail bisson]

Hi Melissa,
I was wondering where you have been! Congrats on having your pictures featured by Cornell. An honor indeed!
I love pics of birds in threes so I really like this image. The repeated leg position really makes this pop! Good PP work.
My only nit is that I wish there was not a bill merge between bird 1 and 2,
Gail

[Louie Champan]

What a shot, very nice.

[Melissa Groo]

Hi Melissa,
I was wondering where you have been! Congrats on having your pictures featured by Cornell. An honor indeed!
I love pics of birds in threes so I really like this image. The repeated leg position really makes this pop! Good PP work.
My only nit is that I wish there was not a bill merge between bird 1 and 2,
Gail

Thanks so much Gail on your congrats. And yes, have been posting, though not for a few days. Mostly been working on and posting wood duck shots I took a month or so ago.
I know, I wish that third bill were fully in view!

[Ofer Levy]

Very nice image! You did very well with the harsh light.

[Grace Scalzo]

Nice, I've seen two in synch but never three. Good dof.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Melissa...this is an incredible shot. so low percentage. absolutely perfect timing. congrats on becoming featured photographer.

terrific exposure, details and colors. Techs could not have been better.

[Karl Egressy]

Great looking threesome, Melissa.

[Gary Esman]

A huge Congratulations! I am loving this shot.

Gary.

[Dan Behm]

Melissa,
I love this image, Very nice given the harsh light conditions, The exposure processing and synchronized movement all lead to a spectacular Image... Congratulations!!!!
btw... Have yourself a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dan

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent, you got three with the right HA!

[Arno Ellmer]

Superb,Melissa ! The low angle, HA's and synchrony make this shot. Bill separation would have put it over the top.
Could you tone down the legs a wee bit or are they naturally so light ? Harsh light handled well.
Congrats also on your award !

[Dumay de Boulle]

This is great..All of them with the same HA and foot up...I like it. Colors look good and the light is well handled

[Melissa Groo]

Thank you so much for all the feedback!