Sandpipers and Surf - a photo on Flickriver

            Sandpipers and Surf. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.

A flock of sandpipers feeds at the edge of the surf, coastal California.

Sometimes conditions work out just right and surprise me with an unexpected photographic opportunity. This was one of those times. I had been photographing a more distant subject in wonderful light conditions — unusual colors, haze, and some high clouds. I happened to look down at the beach directly below me, perhaps only 15 feet away, and notice the fascination patterns created by sand texture, water draining back into the surf, and soft reflections of the cloudy sky. And then, without warning, a flock of sandpipers showed up and landed at the water’s edge. The scene may look quiet and still, but photographing it was anything but!

The photograph is (yet another!) reminder that while preparation and adaptability are important, there’s so much that comes together in landscape photography that is entirely outside of our control. While we have the ability to see and make choices about what we do with “it,” we have very little ability to determine what “it” will be. And while I’m thinking about it, here’s hoping that you find plenty of “it” moments in 2023!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Taken on: December 26, 2022

Tags:

sandpipers

birds

feed

sand

beach

reflective

shiny

surf

wave

foam

edge

water

pacific

ocean

coast

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nature

landscape

seascape

wildlife

california

usa

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Camera: Fujifilm X-T5, f/5.6, 1/450 sec, 50mm (=75mm), ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Fujifilm X-T5
Lens:	XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/450)
Focal Length:	50mm (35mm equivalent: 75mm)
ISO:	125
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop 24.1 (Macintosh)
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