Death on the Beach

RxRick

I wasn't sure if this should go in "Wildlife" or what. More like "Wilddead".

We've had some extreme winds here in Long Beach (Calif) lately. This always takes a toll on the shorebirds. I wanted a gritty, grey feel to this, with a focus on the gull's orange and yellow beak. Not sure if it works.



--RxRick

R.Jay

It's not so much the colour of the beak that I find interesting - it's the effect of the wind blown sand. A very thought provoking image - which is what photography is all about.

vintagemxr

I agree with R.Jay's comments. Also, I was expecting something a bit more graphic or grotesque. The image is a bit of a surprise because it offers something visually pleasant and a subject that is sad and a bit unsettling. I like the emotional tension in that.

Doug

scottV

great shot, love the sand effect.

Cgorias

Agree with the above comments. Would be interesting to see how it would look in BW

Aspire

Agree with other the sand effect looks great, like an extension of the birds wings. Quite a powerful image, well done

Skippy

RxRick wrote:

I wasn't sure if this should go in "Wildlife" or what. More like "Wilddead".

We've had some extreme winds here in Long Beach (Calif) lately. This always takes a toll on the shorebirds. I wanted a gritty, grey feel to this, with a focus on the gull's orange and yellow beak. Not sure if it works.

--RxRick

Hi there RxRick, I was expecting something rather gruesome,
but the shot looks rather graceful as if the bird is about to rise up from the sand ...... kind of weird, I like the way the sand has swept across.
Interesting shot ....Skippy
.

Jamfore

great shot
It does provoke thought. I love the placement, The effect of the sand, and I agree above that the beek is not the focal point. Great Job on this photo.

Travis

What I find interesting is the way that the dark sand forms an arrow pointing at the bird, almost like it is reaching out from the darkness to reclaim the body. While not a happy photogragh, it is excellent!

RxRick

Thanks everyone. I was surprised by how much I like this photo as well. I had to do a fair amount of pp work as there was a plastic bottle imbedded in the sand next to the bird's right wing. You can probably spot the edit.

I went back in the evening to see if I could get some shots when the shadows were longer, but the tide came up and ruined the sand pattern. So I'm still on the lookout for the perfect photo...

--RxRick

roentarre

This is such a great image and i feel so sad about the bird... :ivar

ccheroke

wow...
Now that is what I call an emotional shot. I agree the sand helps tell a story of a sad ending.

Sam

I find this to be an extremely compelling image. This image can take your thoughts in so many directions.

Don't worry about perfection, it's the subject that is all important.

Great catch,

Sam

MooreDriven

I think I would try B&W conversion. IMHO it will give the image more impact. In general though, a very nice image. Sorry for the bird though. :cry

pyry

This is beautiful - even if it is a bit gruesome to think so.

To me it looks like the bird got out the good way.

Top notch job Rick