More often than not bird photographers try to get the bird as large as possible in the frame. By using hides, camouflage nets and the like, we try to get as close as we can. And even afterwards we often crop images, in order to have the subject clear and detailed. Of course, in many cases this is great. You can see the feathers, the details and the iris in the bird’s eye. Some days ago I decided on a different approach. Since I was at the sea shore and the tide was very low, most birds were far our on the sea. So I concentrated on getting images where the birds may be small in the frame, but still easy to recognize – because of shape, typical pose or behavior. The Black Scoter (Zwarte Zee-eend) and the Red-breasted Merganser male (Middelste Zaagbek) are examples of birds that can be recognized at long distance by their shape. The Great Northern Loon (IJsduiker) is easily determined as a diver from quite some distance, but to determine which one, one needs a closer look at the bill – which at this distance was easy enough. Of course the Common Redshank (Tureluur) is easy enough, although Menno was kind enough to point out that this was is from Iceland. When later during the day I met with a female Kingfisher (IJsvogel) – of course I could not resist making a ‘closy’ 😉 .