Beautiful work, Bonnie! Lovely color and clarity.

Awesome! Wow!

Wonderful shots, #2 is my favourite.

Rob

wow

Very nice Bonnie. I especially like 1,2, and 4. Not that there is anything wrong with 3

I have noticed the "flecks" in the eyes (those that look like globular extensions of the pupil) before, in African Oystercatchers, and I just tried to find some info now... A fairly recent paper suggests that these flecks are somewhat sex-dependent. i.e. Those with the largest (or most) flecks are probably female. Anyways, that was sort of interesting.

Also, young birds don't have as bright yellow of an iris, and as defined an eye ring. So, maybe the individual closest to the front in #2 is a young one.

The function/cause of the eye flecks is unknown.

OKAY - I'm done rambling on


Cool image from the paper I was talking about above (Guzetti et al., 2008):

Thanks, Josh--
This is interesting. I will pay more attention to the eyes on these birds and take some images of all their eyes.
I have not personally seen one that does not have the globular extensions--but I will pay more attention now!
Thanks!

Wonderfully done... ....the flying Common Merganser is my favorite....

Bonnie, these are really great captures! Thanks for shariing. I really love them all - but I especially like the Merganser in flight - it seems to be looking right at you and I dig dramatic placement right at the water. I also love the 3 sets of red/yellow eyes on the OC's in flight.

Stunning shots Bonnie I love em. Ed

Very nice work, esp the merganser--great shot.

Wow Bonnie... these are all just plain awesome.

#1 is perfect... great light allowing you to capture all that beautiful rich color and detail, terrific low angle and comp.

#2 IF has wonderful DOF to isolate the center bird just enough and still keep the outer birds with good clarity. Very well done.

#4 CM IF is soooooo good and soooooo cool... I LOVE this shot just as you have presented it, wouldn't change a thing. Fantastic work!

Beautiful series Bonnie, very well done.

Kirk

Super pics Bonnie. What a distinctive eye this bird has.
I like # 2 a lot. It reminded me of trying to take a pic of a zebra in a herd of zebras for some reason!
Martin

Wow! these are amazing! I like #1 but the entire set is gorgeous.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!

Totally awesome set, Bonnie. You've sure been on a roll since getting that 7D haven't you!

Ken

Fantastic series Bonnie well done

Garen

Great Black Oystercatchers series, Bonnie. Well exposed and with very nice detail. The last one is not bad either.
Soocrate

I love the Oystercatcher shots! I've never found them to be "relaxed" here in Florida - they don't let me get too close

Bonnie you nailed each one of these.

Wacky roger
Founding Member Of OOOPs

great exposure on that 1st shot bonnie.

- hung

Ooooh man what a series!! can't decide if I like #1 or 4 better