As simple as it is this photo from two days ago may become one of my favorite shots of an American Avocet for a variety of reasons.
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
Ironically I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about photographing this avocet at Bear River MBR because at some body angles it was partially sidelit and I didn’t think I’d be fond of some of the vegetation sticking up out of the water. But I had two avocets to choose from and in a series of photos similar to this one I think I got lucky.
For my tastes the bird is placed just about perfectly in the frame with a clean background behind the avocet and emergent vegetation on the right. I love that distinctively rusty head and neck in good light with the darker background to set it off. The body angle was just right to put warm early morning light on the entire bird which was particularly important with that almost black bill against the dark background.
And the biologist in me adores something else in the photo that may be an off-putter for some viewers – the midge in flight at lower right. This time of year the air at the refuge is literally swarming with midges, to the point that I was lucky to get only one of them that is easily seen in the frame. I think more of them would have been distracting. Midges as a food source are one of the primary attractions for birds at the refuge so I appreciate the natural implications of that little “bug” in the photo.
That’s not to say I think the image is perfect (in my opinion “perfect” photos are nonexistent or nearly so). I wish I had just a sliver of more room at the top of the frame for composition purposes and this kind of shot is always a cropping conundrum for me at bottom. I generally prefer to leave enough room down there to include the “virtual feet” that we can’t really see in the water but the more of the reflection you include the more the reflection looks cut off. In this case this was all the room I had down there so the decision was made for me by the size of the original frame.
There are only four species of avocets in the world and American Avocets are the only one with distinctive breeding and non-breeding plumages. During breeding season their normally grayish-white head and neck becomes this striking cinnamon color and I love it. Late in the summer and early fall when they’re still here but they’ve lost that beautiful color I tend to point my lens their way much less often (which probably isn’t flattering to me as a biologist or as a bird photographer). Here in the Americas we’re lucky to have them because other than a few of the species that occasionally show up in Greenland as casuals or accidentals they’re found nowhere else.
The name avocet comes from the Italian “avosetta” which means “graceful bird”. In my opinion it’s perfect, including when I see them in flight.
Ron
PS – Sheesh, that’s a lot to read about one simple photo. Sorry, I guess I got carried away.
I have never commented before but I love your photos! What makes this one stand out for me is that the vegetation contains the same colors as the bird’s plumage. Beautiful!
That rusty head against those deep dark green hues is a real show stopper. And the water fading from soft focus at the virtual feet on up the image as the bokeh deepens, wow, that’s some mighty tasty stuff.
Thanks again for all of your image techs, education, inspiration and downright great entertainment. Much appreciated.
Cheers
And your comment is much appreciated also, Dave. It’s very nice to know when readers appreciate stuff like that. Sometimes I probably have a tendency to overdo some of it.
PERFECTION..on every count…bird, pose,water, vegetation, colors, detail, composition( but you’ll still find fault!!!)
“but you’ll still find fault!!!”
It’s my nature, Patty. They all have faults and I have to recognize them to learn to avoid them whenever possible.
Thanks. As you know, I always appreciate your artistic take on my images.
It is a beauty. As is your photo.
Thank you, EC.
The greens (of the plants) and blues (of the water) really stand out. Nice contrast from a winter of grey. Good to see spring here along the Wasatch Front.
Agreed, Brad. Spring has seemed to take a long time to arrive this year. I’m getting the sense that many of the birds think so too.
Wonderful photo, Ron. This avocet is indeed a graceful bird.
They sure are. Thanks, Melanie.
Yep, this one came together nicely for all the reasons you stated. One of my favorite “waders” to photograph, along with Black Necked Stilts. Did you photography this guy from your pickup? Seems like you were relatively low compared to a typical angle you would get from sitting in your pickup.
We are headed to SW Montana about mid June. Can’t wait.
Yup, from my pickup, Frank. The road is pretty low to the water in that part of the refuge.
Who knows, maybe we’ll be in about the same area of MT at the same time.
Beautiful photo Ron and gorgeous colors. The breeding plumage really changes their appearance. I have not seen Avocets here yet, but I just saw a group of about twenty Black-necked Stilts yesterday so I think the Avocets will show up very soon.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I’ll bet they will show up soon, Everett. Actually I’m a little surprised they haven’t already arrived.
This just might be one -if not THE – favorite photographs of yours that I’ve yet seen……..it’s “got it all”–brilliant value contrasts, gorgeous color, a variety of textures, and
that quality of GRACE……..thanks for a beautiful wake-up this morning………
It’s pretty special for me too, Kris. Thanks for explaining your reasons for liking it.
Wow! What a beautiful photograph and gorgeous bird.
While on vacation this spring I photographed Black-Necked Stilts for the first time. I spent hours with them, in all kinds of light and sort of fell in love with them. I’ve yet to cull all the images – quite a daunting task… but your photograph inspires me! Thanks once again for sharing your work and knowledge with all of us.
Yes, stilts and avocets seem to go together like… so many things. Thanks, Joanne.
Lovely, just Lovely! 🙂 🙂 It all fits including the Midge….:) I was not aware of the change in plumage – my biology lesson for the day…… 🙂 Good one Thomas….;) Had to look it up of course…..
I imagine as far north as you are your avocets leave before their plumage has changed back, Judy. 600 miles south of you they’re not hear very long in that plumage before they continue heading south.
Wonderful photo, Ron, one of the best.
Please don’t apologize for explanation and education content. That is a primary purpose for my visiting. Even more high quality info would be just fine.
I especially appreciate your last paragraph, Art. Thanks for that feedback.
I can’t look at an image of an Avocet without the memory of their breeding colony in North Dakota that we visited many years ago. Beautiful bird, beautiful shot.
Thanks for sharing.
That must have been a memorable trip for you, Dick. At our age memories have increasing values… 🙂
A lovely photo and I like that some of the habitat is included (including the midge).
Good. Thanks, Tina.
A beauty Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Ch7
Thanks, Charlotte.
Amazing shot Ron! I agree with everything you stated, and I love the head angle! I also wonder why our American avocets have defined breeding and non-breeding plumage unlike their kin. Nature has its secrets I guess!
Yup, that’s a secret we may never know. Xavier. If so, too bad…
The rich, highlighted color and detail of the Avocet contrasted against the crepuscular quality of its surroundings I would have thought could only be achieved as an artist’s rendering through brush on canvas. To paraphrase Seneca, luck is is being there and being prepared.
Well put, Lyle. And I largely agree with Seneca.
Definitely would easily be a favorite photo of mine! I love everything about it especially the slightly out-of-focus plant-life and the darker colors of the background which gives an air of murky mystery but still spotlights the Avocet’s brightness. It looks like one of those ‘plates’ you see in an ‘Audubon’ book. Perfection is the correct word here! 😍
I’m glad you agree, Kathy. Taste is such an individual thing I’m often not sure about the general appeal of an image like this.
As far as your creative decisions go, de gustibus non disputandum est.
A simply beautiful photo, beautifully edited. Congrats, Ron.
Ha, as you may have anticipated I had to look that quote up, Thomas. Further evidence that I learn at least as much from my readers as they do from me. Now all I have to do is remember it… Thank you.
That quotation, left over from Catholic school days, comes in handy quite frequently in the photo-editing process…….It actually can provide some solace when one is genuinely unsure of which of two or more edits is more appealing.
I’ll bet. I lived across the street from a Catholic high school during my own high school days but that’s as close I ever came to a Catholic school education… 🙂