About the Image(s)

How I did it: March, three years ago, some PSA friends and I visited one of my favorite “Honey Holes”, Ft DeSoto, located about 45 min. South of my home in Largo, FL. For a number of years we enjoyed the two adult Long-billed Curlews that graced our cameras on almost every visit. The day of our shoot was warm and sunny. As we approached a tide pool the Curlew was preening and enjoying the beautiful day. That was the last time we have seen a Curlew in that area. I carry a “Walk Stool” on all Nature shoots for three reasons, it allows me to sit and take the pressure off my well used knees, in many cases I can be low enough to make more intimate images at eye level with my subject and helps steady me almost as good as a tripod. I worked this bird for over an hour, preening, stretching and digging for and eating crabs. In order to make various images and create side light, Sun at my back and show the bird backlit, I moved several times around the pond. My tools for the day, Canon 7D Mark 11 coupled with the 100-400 f4.5-5.6 IS Canon L lens, hand held. “Enjoying the morning Sun-Curlew” was made on Aperture Priority at f8, 400 ISO at 1/1600th of a second. You will have to excuse me now as I must get prepared for the next Wildlife shoot, We in Florida are approaching peak season.