Richard Goldenberg
April 2026 - Oystercatchers Return
About the Image(s)
I took this photo on March 26, 2026, in Edgartown, Massachusetts. The Oystercatchers spent the winter someplace warm but very recently returned to New England and I was delighted to see this pair flying so close together. I took the photo with my Sony Alpha 1 and a 300 mm prime lens with a 2x extender for an effective focal length of 600 mm. The settings were 1/2000 s, f/5.6, and ISO of 2500.
My camera body has recently been behaving oddly, e.g., button presses not performing their desired function. I'm hoping a cleaning by Sony will resolve the issue, but looks like I'll be without my camera body for a while. If you've had experience with issues like this I'd appreciate any advice you may have.
7 comments posted
Hi Richard - nice capture! I'm usually not a big fan of birds in flight intersecting one another, but this one is good (imho). One feels like an almost perfect reflection of the other. My only suggestion would be to crop them a bit tighter. Nice clear shot and I really like these birds and their striking coloration.
As to your camera issues. I have this camera, and now also the Aii. I've not experienced the issues you mentioned. Had you tried to do a firmware update? Posted: 04/02/2026 08:17:32
As to your camera issues. I have this camera, and now also the Aii. I've not experienced the issues you mentioned. Had you tried to do a firmware update? Posted: 04/02/2026 08:17:32
Well Karen, Sony agrees with you and my Aii is now upgraded to version 4 of the software. Feeling somewhat chagrinned, but that firmware upgrade does seem to have solved the problem. Posted: 04/06/2026 20:18:21
I'm not very technical when it comes to cameras, so I'm glad that my suggestion worked for you. ???? Posted: 04/06/2026 21:43:09
Richard - first, I'm glad your camera software update has sorted your issue.
This works well, possibly because of the two striking eyes and beaks. Well done. But you've chosen to put the pair in the approx centre which I find wrong for moving animals, especially birds. Having more ahead than behind then leaves you the decision as to how much top/bottom feels right. Nice capture and nicely presented (other than the crop/position. Posted: 04/07/2026 19:53:55
This works well, possibly because of the two striking eyes and beaks. Well done. But you've chosen to put the pair in the approx centre which I find wrong for moving animals, especially birds. Having more ahead than behind then leaves you the decision as to how much top/bottom feels right. Nice capture and nicely presented (other than the crop/position. Posted: 04/07/2026 19:53:55
Richard, great capture of the bird flying at the same pace. Nice colors and good background. Too much dead space that does not add anything. This is my take about the crop. Posted: 04/10/2026 00:49:24
Hi Richard,
What a great capture of these two oystercatchers in flight. The position of their wings and the way their heads are almost parallel, with the red beaks as a strong point of interest, works really well.
To improve the image, a tighter crop, as already suggested, could help enhance the overall impact. Posted: 04/12/2026 18:42:17
What a great capture of these two oystercatchers in flight. The position of their wings and the way their heads are almost parallel, with the red beaks as a strong point of interest, works really well.
To improve the image, a tighter crop, as already suggested, could help enhance the overall impact. Posted: 04/12/2026 18:42:17
Hi Richard,
A very attractive capture of two birds in a well-coordinated flight. Their striking colors, particularly of the beaks and their big, wide-opened eyes, work very well against the background of the seemingly calm and green waters. I agree with the comments about a tighter crop.
Posted: 04/17/2026 00:02:44
A very attractive capture of two birds in a well-coordinated flight. Their striking colors, particularly of the beaks and their big, wide-opened eyes, work very well against the background of the seemingly calm and green waters. I agree with the comments about a tighter crop.
Posted: 04/17/2026 00:02:44