I got many photos I like of this bird but I screwed up on the only one that could have been spectacular.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Willets have been back to Antelope Island for a short while now but two days ago was the first time this year that one of them fully cooperated with me. The bird gave me a few nice frontal poses in good light before…
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
turning on its perch and then calling. I wish I had more of the rock in the frame but this is the best calling pose I was able to get so I chose to post this shot instead of some of the others.
This time of year they often call to other nearby Willets which can signal imminent takeoff so I was in that dilemma so familiar to many bird photographers. Using my attached teleconverter I was a little too close optically for takeoff shots because I’d almost surely clip wings or other body parts. But if I took the 4-5 seconds required to remove my TC I had a very good chance of missing takeoff altogether.
What to do?
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I remained in the limbo of indecision for just a little too long and the Willet took off so I clipped a wing. Not only that, I also didn’t have enough room in the frame for a pleasing composition so I had to add canvas on the left which I really don’t like to do.
In my view this shot could have bordered on spectacular. The bird is very sharp where it counts, I have excellent detail, the light angle was just about perfect, the background is clean and pleasing, the setting is natural and the takeoff posture is right up my alley. I love it when this plain Jane species instantly transforms into such a flashy bird when it opens its wings.
And with all those positives I had to clip a wing.
There isn’t a serious bird photographer in the universe this hasn’t happened to many times. But it still hurts and the more potential the image had the more painful it is.
Bird photography ain’t easy.
Ron
Notes:
- The predominate rocks on the north end of Antelope Island are Tintic Quartzite and many of them are almost white, as in the perch of this Willet. I don’t think they’re particularly attractive in photos and when you’re photographing in bright light at midday the whites are easily blown. These shots were taken early enough that the rock has reasonably good detail.
- Obviously I had more shutter speed for these photos than I needed but I’m always comfortable when I don’t go above ISO 500 and I’d much rather have too much shutter speed than too little for action shots.
- The right wing is soft due to insufficient depth of field. Many photographers might prefer it to be sharper but I like it the way it is because it’s directly behind the head. If it had been sharper the head and face wouldn’t stand out as well.
- Warning: The biting gnats on the island are back. Those little bastards are nasty and vicious, much worse than mosquitos, so proceed to the island at your own risk. And I do mean risk!
- With that, Happy Easter everyone.
They are marvelous shots Ron, you’re too hard on yourself.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
These are great shots from my perspective. They are a rare visitor here. I’ve only seen one and his feet were submerged, so these photos drew me to them. Definitely doesn’t look like feet evolved for perching in trees.
I’ve often seen them perched on sagebrush but can’t remember ever seeing one in a tree, Lyle. Maybe I’ve just forgotten. That’s been happening a little more frequently the last few years, if I remember right…
That is indeed a spectacular shot and I can understand your frustration. Hiss and spit (which is a phrase I use when I want to turn the air purple).
I am a magnet for biting insects of any sort. I am v glad that we don’t have that particular variety.
Happy Easter/Passover to all those who celebrate them.
They’re the most misery-causing biting insects I’ve ever encountered, EC. But then I’ve never had chigger bites…
Beautiful, frustrating about the wing. What purpose do those damn gnats serve? Are they an important food source? I know I feel like a important food source for them.
Don’t ask me, April. They’re probably food for some insects that other critters feed on but I’m sure they’re too small for most birds to pursue and eat. I suppose one positive thing they do is make any vertebrate that survives on the island as tough as nails. They’d have to be!
What a gorgeous bird! Those underpinnings of the wings really are something. And I groaned when I saw the wing clip. I feel for ya! Everything about that picture is stellar save that missing few bits of feather. I love how the head is so sharp against the wing.
Yup, you get it, Arwen. It was painful to clip that wing on an image that I thought was very good otherwise.
“Bird photography ain’t easy.” If it was, it wouldn’t be as much fun & gratifying. Looking forward to your posts when you & your trailer get to MT.
I can hardly wait, Elmer!
Happy Easter Ron!
The frontal shots are nice, yet the take-off shot is superb, but for what you pointed out. It still is a great shot, but I understand, OH do I understand your frustration.
As much as I swear at ALL biting insects, they do it for their survival. We won’t be around, but it will be interesting what will happen when we (humans) have killed off most of the pollinators. That is a topic for another day.
Thanks, Dick. On one level I agree with you about most biting insects but when it comes to those damned no-see-ums I have absolutely no empathy or sympathy for them!
Bird photograph ain’t easy for sure. Clipped wing and added canvas, but still a beautiful photo nevertheless. Happy Easter.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
I was struck with a special quality in the Willet’s form in your first image–its simplicity really pointed up the beauty of its ( frontal ) proportions–classical
1/3’s–with beautiful curving edges. I can see why you are excited with the possibilities of the last shot–markings and posture are spectacular–but that first
one is elegant, and I was glad to see it !
I agree with your assessment of that first shot, Kris. Elegant is a good way to describe the combination of bird, pose and composition. Thanks for expressing it so well.
“…in the limbo of indecision…”, ah yes, why is it so crowded in that place, given the usual results of lingering there?
Willets may be dull, brown and plain but there is something special in their simple plainness that draws me to them. A certain flair of plain it seems. And a subtle, distinguished countenance.
Beautiful shots Ron.
“why is it so crowded in that place, given the usual results of lingering there?”
My readers often express the situation better and more creatively than I have in my text. This line is another example of that. Thanks for showing us how it’s done, Dave.
Well HELL! That is a gorgeous photo even with clipped wing and I can certainly understand your disappointment (not an adequate term BUT 😉 ) Happy Easter to you and all!
Thanks, Judy. I still like that shot but can’t help dwelling on what could have been.