<< Previous Next >>

Spotted Sandpiper


Spotted Sandpiper
Photo Information
Copyright: Doug Brown (dB_grafix) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 9 N: 624] (3019)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300, AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-E, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-16 0:02
Viewed: 3871
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) is a small shorebird, 18-20 cm long. Together with its sister species, the Common Sandpiper (A. hypoleucos) they make up the genus Actitis. They replace each other geographically; stray birds may settle down with breeders of the other species and hybridize.

Their breeding habitat is near fresh water across most of Canada and the United States. They migrate to the southern United States and South America, and are very rare vagrants to western Europe. These are not gregarious birds and are seldom seen in flocks.

Adults have short yellowish legs and an orange bill with a dark tip. The body is brown on top and white underneath with black spots. Non-breeding birds, depicted below, do not have the spotted underparts, and are very similar to the Common Sandpiper of Eurasia; the main difference is the more washed-out wing pattern visible in flight and the normally light yellow legs and feet of the Spotted Sandpiper. The Acititis species have a distinctive stiff-winged flight low over the water.

Spotted Sandpipers nest on the ground. Females may mate with more than one male, leaving incubation to them.

These birds forage on ground or water, picking up food by sight. They may also catch insects in flight. They eat insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates. As they forage, they can be recognized by their constant nodding and teetering.
wiki info.

----------------
Thanks for the view and any critique.
SelenE, Alex99, rkailas, jconceicao, Matt-Bird, maurydv, CeltickRanger, soccer has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Evelynn: HidB_grafix 1 07-19 23:39
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-07-16 0:38]

Hi Doug.
Simply amazing picture of an charming scene. I am impressed with refined delicate colours (especially fine is BG), superb details of the beautiful bird and blameless composition and framing of the image. Bravo. Well done.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2008-07-16 1:34]

Hi Doug,
Color tones (especially in the background), POV, composition, pose you captured and the catchlight in the eye look so nice. TFS
All the best,
Selen

Hi Doug

This is a beauty! Superb low POV, great light (was it flash?) and an brillant, multi-hued BG. The focus is spot-on and soft in a good way!

TFS and Best
Ravi

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-07-16 2:16]

Hi Doug,
great shot, wonderful composition and excellent details, well done.
tfs
Paul

Hi Doug.

Fantastic capture.Excellent composition, colours and sharpness.All the best.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2008-07-16 6:20]

Hola amigo,
perfecta captura y pov,
bonito plumaje y color,
saludos Doug.

Meravigliosa cattura, bellissima composizione con una splendida posa su uno stupendo OOF BG, ottimi dettagli, molto belli i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-07-16 10:20]

Hello Doug,
Very beautiful photo of this Spotted Sandpiper in excellent sharpness, details and great natural colours. Superb POV, pose and composition. I also like the BG very much.
Regards,
Peter

hello Doug

excellent shot of the Spotted Sandpiper, fine POV and framing,
i love his pose and the place (woods) where he is posed,
excellent sharpness and details, beautiful catch-light at the eye,

TFS

Asbed

Hi Doug,
Nice soft background, and pov. This is a nice looking bird and its photographed,
regards
Matt.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-07-18 7:09]

Hello Doug, very nice image of the sandpiper, the details are sharp, the exposure is spot on and the soft background is just beautiful, well done, thanks!

Mario

The gorgeous background almost haloing your little sandpiper is so unique and wonderful. We are so jealous of the apparent abundance of bird life in the Vancouver area. I live not to far south (Salem Oregon) and we have very little to shoot close by. We are thinking of coming up to the Ladner area... maybe next spring. We don't want to waste gas these days so we'd like to know how likely is it that we could get some good shots? ... or is it something that one just needs to live nearby and go often. What would be the best time... spring or fall????

Thanks

Evelynn : )

Hi Doug,
I would be so proud if this picture was mine :)! What a beautiful capture; it almost looks like a studio shot! Lightning, colors, composition and exposure are just wonderful! Color of the background is amazing and this DOF you chose was judicious. Thanks a lot and have a good summer! I have just started my vacations and I hope to have the chance to take good pictures. Congrats for this one! :)
Claudine

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-19 21:13]

Hello Doug

A perfect pose captured and the eye contact is lovely.
Excellent detail in the plumage with natural colours.
The POV is very well done.
Accented with a nice catch light in the eye.
TFS

Rob

Doug,

Thanks for your comments! I can already see the difference in DOF that the f/6.3 made (as compared to my shot of the Yellowlegs). This is a wonderful shot. I love the pose, composition, lighting and background. Everything clicks just right here - awesome work!

Best Regards,

Martin

Doug,

Well Composed (It's off centre and subject facing open end of frame) pic. The sharpness and details of the subject is great. The DOF, OOF BG, POV are also great. The overall clarity and quality of your pic is excellent.

TFS,
Sheriff

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF