Plover Surprise

[ingweDave]

A few years ago for various reasons I was persuaded to spend a few days on a beach holiday. I generally do not do beaches but it was the Seychelles!
Although it was a beautiful white beach, there was little happening from a wildlife angle. I did manage to pick out one distant bird with my bins. To my shock it was a bird I have wanted to photograph for years, Crab Plover! A frantic dash to fetch the camera and 15 minutes getting closer and closer and I got my reward!
When I sat down on the beach with my wife and a large cocktail, getting a picture like this was not in my thoughts. A real bonus day!

Nikon D4, 300 f2.8 +1.4, 1/2500 @ f6.3, ISO500

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[Ralph]

A few years ago for various reasons I was persuaded to spend a few days on a beach holiday. I generally do not do beaches but it was the Seychelles!
Although it was a beautiful white beach, there was little happening from a wildlife angle. I did manage to pick out one distant bird with my bins. To my shock it was a bird I have wanted to photograph for years, Crab Plover! A frantic dash to fetch the camera and 15 minutes getting closer and closer and I got my reward!
When I sat down on the beach with my wife and a large cocktail, getting a picture like this was not in my thoughts. A real bonus day!

Nikon D4, 300 f2.8 +1.4, 1/2500 @ f6.3, ISO500
View attachment 9988

Nice!

 

[DRwyoming]

Beauty Dave!

 

[Callie]

Green again, been hunting them a longg time, Dave! Would love to see one!

 

[ingweDave]

I’ve only seen one

 

[Callie]

I’ve only seen one

Better than none ~ They are apparently north of Zululand on the Mozambican coast . . .

 

[gordon_g]

Beautiful..

 

[Rassie]

Very nice image, Dave. It was certainly worth the work you put in to get it.
Its beak looks much stronger and thicker than the usual plovers.

 

[Icarus]

Lovely photo. Really like the low angle and the very simple white beach and blue sky. Sets bird off well. Huge beak for a Plover!

 

[Yezdi]

Beautiful & well composed shot Dave...the white sand and the clear blue water really pops out the Plover...

 

[Robin]

As per Callie, very envious, lovely shot .

 

[Jerry G]

Beautiful, great composition, love the contrasting black and white on the bright blue background.

 

[ssheipel]

A few years ago for various reasons I was persuaded to spend a few days on a beach holiday. I generally do not do beaches but it was the Seychelles!
Although it was a beautiful white beach, there was little happening from a wildlife angle. I did manage to pick out one distant bird with my bins. To my shock it was a bird I have wanted to photograph for years, Crab Plover! A frantic dash to fetch the camera and 15 minutes getting closer and closer and I got my reward!
When I sat down on the beach with my wife and a large cocktail, getting a picture like this was not in my thoughts. A real bonus day!

Nikon D4, 300 f2.8 +1.4, 1/2500 @ f6.3, ISO500
View attachment 9988

Stunning shot. That shadow nails this shot for me -- superb!

 

[Kathy G]

Great capture Dave

 

[Gottshotz]

Great shot Dave -- that's some carapace-crunching beak it's got !

 

[Gongster]

Lovely Dave, moments like that don't come along very often and you certainly made the most of it!