Black-Bellied Plover with Crab

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 1D4
500mm +1.4x
Gitzo/Wimberley spread low

ISO 640
1/2500 sec
f/6.3

Taken on a Fort Myers, FL beach a month or so ago. I liked the good view of the tiny crab. First time I've photographed a black-belled plover in breeding condition.
Minor crop, sharpening and NR. i wonder about the dreck on the beach, ok to leave as is or does it look too messy?
All comments and critiques greatly appreciated. Thanks much for looking.

[Melissa Groo]

Felt it needed a little more sharpening, so reposting.

[gail bisson]

Hi Melissa,
Repost looks good. I, too, love the little crab. I also like the little wavelet in LLC.
I would clean up the water under the head and breast and the brown blob on the left with the specular highlight. Beach itself is fine.
Excellent POV and I like the diagonal line created by the plovers' foraging position.
I see a few of dust spots in LUC and one about an inch up from windblown feather on back. A keeper!
Gail

[Alan Murphy]

Love this shot. The image is clear of stuff around the feet and bill so it works for me. The little crab hanging on is priceless.

[dankearl]

Really nice unique angle, Melissa.
The OP looks fine to me.
A very intimate look at the bird and the crab adds to it.
Very well done.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice Melissa, sweet light nice low angle sharp and the crab adds a lot.

[christopher galeski]

very nice image,like the pose and lighting,sharp,and the little crab is a great bonus.

[Dumay de Boulle]

I like the OP for sharpness. Great light and angle...Nicely done!

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent low angle shot, Melissa. The crab in the beak adds interest.

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image Melissa! I like the low angle, sharpness, crab and lighting.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Great perspective, and the crab does indeed add alot (I got my first breeding plumage BBPs in Florida too, but none of them feeding). The big FG "blob" almost touching the rear foot does catch my eye, could be tough to get rid of though so I'd leave it in...all else looks good to me.

[Frank Schauf]

Exellent image quality, great details and sharpness.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Excellent Melissa, the crab adds so nicely, good low angle and sharpness well done.

[Grace Scalzo]

Nice one Melissa...well exposed and the crab makes it.