Motif: American Avocet


Posted by Mike Wilson on Fri Mar 12, 2004 5:18 pm

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American Avocet Recurvirostra americana
Salton Sea 4/02

Two years ago from Feb. to May, I took many trips to the Salton Sea to get some shots of Avocets in the marsh area near Obsidian Butte. While shooting from the car, this handsome fellow slowly walked closeby and paused to let me get several frame filling images. I nearly died seeing this through the viewfinder. I went last year to discover the marsh had partially dried and the water line was far away from the road and not as many birds. I hope it is due to seasonal chnges in water supply and not a one time deal. I am planning a trip soon to check the condition of the marsh and look for more Avocets close to the road. Cropped ~5%.
N90s, 500mmf/4P, 1.4x, beanbag, Provia 100F
Mike Wilson
San Diego, Ca
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by AlexC on Fri Mar 12, 2004 5:22 pm
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Excellent bird, great exposure, wonderful detail and colors as well!!
Me like a lot!!! Congrats!!! 8)
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by Neil Solomon on Fri Mar 12, 2004 5:38 pm
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Nice looking Avocet, Mike. Love the deep blue. You never know with those shallow water areas in the Imperial Valley. Look what happened to the Laguna Salada (just south of the border). It used to be as extensive as the Salton Sea. Now it's just a giant salt flat and has been for several years.
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by Rob Palmer on Fri Mar 12, 2004 6:07 pm
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Beautiful Shot. :)
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by Alan Murphy on Fri Mar 12, 2004 6:21 pm
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Very nice Mike. I like the reflection. Could go a little brighter.
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by Bill Whala on Fri Mar 12, 2004 6:31 pm
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Mike,

I did some Curves work on this and found if you lock down the whites this can be lightened up w/o toasting them.

This is an excellent shot!! The reflection puts it up a notch or two as well.
You probably already knew I would like this one. ;)

Hopefully the water situation is temporary. Please let us know when you get back.
Bill Whala

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by Jim Urbach on Fri Mar 12, 2004 8:16 pm
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Mike,

Great breeding plumage and reflection.

Jim
Enjoy viewing

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by LHays on Fri Mar 12, 2004 9:41 pm
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Beautiful job with this one, Mike. They are elusive for me....always there a day before or a day after I visit.
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by Ed Cordes on Fri Mar 12, 2004 10:12 pm
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Wonderful image. The color is dramatic and I am always a sucker for good reflection images.
 

by Jerry Merrell on Fri Mar 12, 2004 11:38 pm
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Lovely image, Mike. Congratulations.
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by Juli Wilcox on Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:30 am
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A beautiful bird and nicely saturated colors! Would consider brightening very slightly to bring out even more detail.
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by Wayne Ellis on Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:31 am
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Lovely balance Mike
Comments and reposts welcome

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by Miguel Lasa on Sat Mar 13, 2004 5:17 am
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Beautiful reflection,lovely photo :)
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by Laura Stiefel on Sat Mar 13, 2004 7:50 am
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Hi Mike,

This is excellent! I absolutly love the full reflection. :)
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by Campbell on Sat Mar 13, 2004 8:04 am
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Mike,
I really like this reflection. nice work dude! 8)
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by George McCarthy on Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:20 am
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A beautifully plumaged bird that looks good with or without the reflection although I do prefer it with. I agree with brightening it a little.

George
 

by Bruce DiVaccaro on Sat Mar 13, 2004 2:10 pm
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Mike,

This is a beautiful shot. The composition with the reflection is excellent.
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by Mark on Sat Mar 13, 2004 6:24 pm
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Killer shot Mike.
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by Harvey Edelman on Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:49 pm
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Beautifully done in everyrespect. Congrats!
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by Tom Bentley on Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:18 am
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Great shot. Beautiful blues.
[b]Comments welcomed!!



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