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On the Edge


On the Edge
Photo Information
Copyright: Lesley Mattuchio (Lesley) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 13 N: 913] (2988)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-06-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EF100-400 IS
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-01-13 8:10
Viewed: 1288
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This image was composed this way with the specific purpose of creating a statement of the plight of the Piping Plover. The Piping Plover is on the edge of extinction , but has massive support and effort being undertaken in the US to save these delightful little "peeps". They are found only on sandy beaches and usually well above the water line. Because they are such an endangered species many beaches that are know as breeding grounds for the Piping Plover are fenced off to the public from April 1 until the beginning of August giving the Plovers enough time to procreate with out being disturbed or nests being crushed underfoot. These beaches are also patroled by wildlife refuge officers and volunteers that have been deputized as Plover Wardens.

The beach I photographed this Piping Plover was a less populated ( humans ) beach so they had small protective enclosures around their nesting areas made of chicken coop wire so that the adult Plovers could come and go with ease, but intruders or predators could not get in.

Seeing this little peep all by itself gave me the inspiration to make this image...isolation and desperation with a pinch of hope came to mind for me. I put the plover in the frame so it didn't have much room before falling out or off from sight, yet I still left just enough room to symbolize a glimmer of hope to keep the Piping Plover in the picture...on this earth.
rlortie, milloup, Fisher, pompey, marhowie, Luc, roconnell has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

What a beautiful picture and note. Fragility of life, that's what comes to my mind when I look and "read" your pic. Thanks for the very informative note, and for the emotions.

Stunning capture (and a sad story). You really put the little chap in the spotlike catching him like this ;-))
I sure hope you succeed in preserving these cute little critters!

Composition: *****
Sharpness: ***
Color: ****
DOF: ***
POV: ****

That's a lonely one :-(
Very nice composition great BG.
Well done.
TFS.

Excellent image of a bird in its enviroment. Well done for keeping the feather detail in and not burning out the highlights.

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-01-13 12:22]

Hi Lesley, this image is very attractive yet moody as well. The plover is well set in this beauty of tones. One may say, N.Geographic.
Well done.
It would be nice if you could check out some of my work. Your critique would be helpful for future shots. Thanks.

Mike

  • Great 
  • pompey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 205 W: 4 N: 780] (2762)
  • [2005-01-13 14:54]

Good composition and lovely story Lesley, good to know people still care.
The emptiness of the BG adds to the drama, positioning of the 'peep' is just perfect.
Well done!

Lesley, Like your message/theme for this one. This photo does an excellent job of dramatizing your message..I like it!

  • Great 
  • azulu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 111 W: 0 N: 75] (374)
  • [2005-01-14 10:24]

Beatiful, beatiful, beatiful!!! I like the composition for this great shot and the background too. Congratulations.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-15 22:48]

Great shot Lesley. Your composition, combined with your note is very powerful and successful. It is sad what we as humans have achieved as well, and that is to wipe out a lot of species from extinction.

The sharpness and exposure here is good as well.

Very well done and thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2005-01-17 3:24]

I like this one very much, Lesley.
"...isolation and desperation with a pinch of hope came to mind for me." You possess this big quality that is empathy.
Thank for sharing pictures and so great notes too.

Fantatic balance of light and dark, detail and blur. The light is managed very well, shining nicely on this lovely peep. Your note is excellent, and hopefully he will not be alone for long. Well done.

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