WESTERN SANDPIPER
A western sandpiper during the spring migration returning to Alaska to nest.
A western sandpiper during the spring migration returning to Alaska to nest.
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Aug, 2020Views
320
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Awards
People's Choice in Top Birds Shots in 2020 Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took the photo at Anchor Point Alaska on the beach adjoining Cook Inlet..Time
It was about late morning on a partially cloudy day. I generally prefer cloudy situations to reduce strong light-dark contrast and to improve color saturation.Lighting
There was nothing special about the lighting other than what I have already mentioned.Equipment
My standard photo equipment in the field consists of one camera and one lens, currently a Nikon D500 and a Nikkor 18 to 300 mm lens. The lens is sharp enough, camera tracking abilities good enough and the quality of vibration reduction system sufficient to catch the variety of photographic conditions I encounter in the field. Using a single ultra zoom lens also means not having to take time to switch lenses in the middle of a field shoot or risk getting dust on the photo processor. Almost all of my more than 100 ViewBug challenge wins and contest successes have been achieved with this equipment.Inspiration
A flock of western sandpipers were engaged in feeding which was interesting in itself. Catching this bird while it was fully engrossed and moving in my direction just at the moment it was about to plunge its beak into the water.Editing
Every photo I take that I have selected for appearing in ViewBug or elsewhere gets some amount of post processing. At the minimum it gets cropped, lens type adjusted for and lighting cum color balance corrected.In my camera bag
In addition to the Nikon camera and Nikkor lens my camera bag includes spare SD cards, camera batteries and camera lens cleaner. My camera bag is of the sling type which enables me to reach the camera in a moments notice without having to remove the bag. I have removed the bulk of the camera padding and replaced it with a gardener's knee pad. While serving as camera padding during travel, when I am onsite shooting the pad sometimes serves as something to sit, kneel or lie on.Feedback
Take lots of photos. You never know when your subject is wildlife which pic is going to turn out to be the best.
