A pair of dunlin (Calidris alpina) rest at the front edge of a very large flock of mixed sandpipers. This image is from a morning that I spent with this flock as they tried to stay just above the waterline of the rising tide during my first sunrise trip to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this fall. The squatty shape of sandpipers, especially when they are tucked in to rest, doesn't always lend itself to an interesting vertical composition. In this case though, I thought that the background of the large flock fading into the bright blue of the early morning ocean was compelling. It's so easy to view the world through only one orientation, especially since the camera is layed-out to be most comfortable that way, so I always try to remember to rotate the lens to vertical as I work over a scene.
View more of my photos of dunlin
Submitted to World Bird Wednesday -- follow the link to check out this week's posts.
Wow Pat, a stunning image.
ReplyDeleteYea, I love the camera orientation on this.
I think it works just as well without the sky too. An excellent image.
Wonderful birds-eye view of these little darlings. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI wound not have thought going verticle. It works!
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful image Pat. With the vertical format, maybe a cover is in this shot's future? :-)
ReplyDeleteSweet with them tucked in like that....lovely
ReplyDeleteA beautiful image Pat...
ReplyDeleteI like the shot! Interesting composition!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot of this bird. I still seem to struggle with picking dunlins out of a crowd of shorebirds.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo and thanks for the suggestions about camera orientation. That's something I can try out next time.
ReplyDeleteSuper image Pat! that composition and those colors are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Pat. It's like its more about the shapes and textures that form the composition than the birds themselves. Extrordinary view!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to a Modern Master!
That is a beautiful composition!
ReplyDelete