Piping Plover

[joedlh]

This fellow was outside of a protected fenced in area for nesting. So was I. An endangered species.

40D, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, 1.4 ex, ISO 640, 1.1600, f/10

[Sonic Infidel]

Cute bird!

I'd like to see it with a bit more contrast to make the texture of the sand jump out.

[Flo]

Joe, I noticed that your ISO was at 640...just wondering if that is what I see giving the photo some noise?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/PipingPlover_4941x700.jpg

[Alex Rechetov]

40D, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, 1.4 ex, ISO 640, 1.1600, f/10If it were me, I'd open up the aperture a bit more to get more separation of the subject from the background. That would also give you more light and let you drop the ISO.

[joedlh]

Could be noise, Flo (Gail?). However, I can't tell if it's noise or sand grains. I had the ISO set at 640 because I was also shooting terns in flight in the same location (I'll post one tomorrow). The image is a substantial crop, as the plover is a very small bird and was about 30 meters away from me. I don't have the acknowledged wildlife hardware because I have chosen not to make the $5000 investment for what would be for me a limited use lens and darn heavy to be hiking around with.

To answer another poster, the critters were in constant movement. I decided to spend my time trying to grab the shots (filled up a 2gb card) rather than fiddling with the camera controls.

[Flo]

I understand totally about investing in the $$$$.I do the same.matter of fact, just deleted about 30 shots of a woodpecker.lol..had the short lens....:rolleyes: