Willet at Bunche Beach Preserve
Fort Myers, Florida USA
Well in excess of fifty visits made to this beach had never before offered the extraordinary action that would unfold before me and John Van de Graaf
visiting from Massachusetts. The tide was coming in and the birds were coming closer and closer to us. Typical observation was enhanced with the capture
of a sea creature by a Willet. The extraordinary happened when the bird was followed by two others of the species in a 100 foot circle before me as the
food exchanged beaks. The image presented here was captured as the birds approached at their closest. I was entranced by the event and very much regret
not having the quick thinking to remove the lens and camera from the tripod that was firmly planted in the muck of San Carlos Bay. An action shot like
this I have found very few and far between with the unthinkable happening a week earlier.
Opened in camera raw with default adjustments, Fill Light 8, jpeg processing: brightness +6, contrast +10, smart sharpen (GB) at 65% .3px.
The crop is intentionally tight to minimize OOF birds below and at right.
Fantastic behaviour and action!!! Sharp with excellent detail and so much drama! Would crop a bit off the top, apply some cooling filter as there is a yellow/reddish cast and more importantly would get rid of the OOF birds at the BG.
Would also save as sRGB...
Bob, I like the light in this, and well timed to capture the action and interaction between the two birds. Having the fish visible also adds to the drama. I agree removing the OOF birds as they stand out a touch too much.