A group of small birds was foraging in the shallow waters of a stream and I approached them quietly, hoping to get close enough to isolate one of them with my camera. They seemed to be in constant motion and I followed them, waiting and hoping. Finally they stopped for a moment and I crouched low and took this shot of what I believe to be a Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla).
I thought about cropping the image a little so that the bird would not be quite as centered, but I decided that I like the ripples in the left corner too much to cut them off. What you see in this posting, therefore, is the framing as the image came out of the camera.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
You captured a magical moment right there. I concur with your idea of leaving the ripples in there. Sometimes we become too concerned with technical considerations and cropping to conform to the rule of thirds and all that kind of stuff and where the subject is located in the frame. Sometimes, I guess a photographer’s instinct works best and the best framing is the one which you take the photograph. There is a reason you instinctively went for that shot and the first reason is normally the best reason. And on this occasion you were hundred percent on the money. I love the balance of the shot, the ripples in the water suggesting movement, the partially wet and dry and muddy boulders, the blue of the water and hint of the sky, and the wide eyed bird seemingly frozen in motion. It is just perfect. You are inspiring me to share my photography too.
I’d definitely encourage you to share your photography. It’s a little scary at times to put my creative work out there for others to see, but for me the rewards are worth the risk. I really enjoyed reading your thoughtful comments. You described so well so many of the reasons why I like the image as well. Thanks.
Thanks for the positive feedback. I am not so intimidated or scared about putting my creative work out there, principally, because I know I will never run out of work to put out. I am constantly discovering new outlets and learning things about photography and the craft. I believe that my best work lies ahead. I guess out thoughts on the image are similar in a way and maybe that is maybe because somewhere deep down there we share similar sensibilities.
I love your positive attitude (and agree we have similar sensibilities).
I love this shot Mike – perfectly framed, lighting, reflections, and the bird capture the moment
Thanks so much.
I like the water ripples underneath her.
LOL I wrote that comment about the photo before reading about your ripple crop dilemma. The ripples MAKE the picture fir me 😀 but then I’ only an eye if behokder, nit a ohotography expert!
I enjoyed your initial and subsequent reaction to the question of the ripples. I tend to post images that I like or that interest me–I’ll let experts make their own judgments.
We have similar birds here, I wonder if they are the same.
There are so many shorebirds that look so much alike that I suspect that they are all part of a big family.
I agree. The ripples are essential; no crop necessary at all!
Thanks, Gary. This was one of those images that I liked the second I opened it on my computer. I feel like I am developing instincts now that let me get a pleasing composition without consciously thinking about it, thanks to lots and lots of shooting.
I like the shot too, for all of the reasons already mentioned. Congratulations on being able to identify this bird. Trying to ID these little shorebirds can be difficult.
Thanks, Allen. Identifying any of the the shorebirds is a challenge–they all tend to look the same to me. The size of this one made it a bit easier and I got a pretty close look at it. Still, I feel a bit uncertain making an identification–I have been spectacularly wrong at times. 🙂
I know just how you feel!