The Take

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 12, 2010250 views4 comments

Another shot from Guatemala. Getting a billfish at the moment it takes the bait can be a pain (read boring) but I finally got one. This Sailfish obliged by having his dorsal fin fully erect and lit up like a neon sign. Any comments or suggestions are always appreciated. Thanks for looking.

Canon EOS40D, 100-400L IS @ 100mm, 1/1,250, F5.6, ISO 500

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Sally King on February 13, 2010 at 10:40 AM

That is one amazing bill on that fish. I love the colors and the splash.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 13, 2010 at 5:03 PM

The dorsal fin is wonderful. As a guy who has never fished salt water and one whose fish usually fit in a bucket along with some of their buddies, I would never have known this was the dramatic moment of the "taking" of the bait or lure. I would not have understood, by looking, the difficulty of getting this shot. So, in my ignorance without your explanation, I would be wanting to see more of the face and hopefully an eye. This suggests to me this would therefore be perfect as part of a series or perhaps accompanying an article in a sportfishing magazine. And, btw, the rich colors and pure white foams are pleasing and dramatic.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 15, 2010 at 9:28 AM

HI Joe,

I think Lon's comments are spot on regarding this shot and also reflect my thinking on the shot. The colour of the dorsal fin is absolutely amazing and I really like how both the sail and "sword" are prominently shown in this image. Well done...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on February 21, 2010 at 10:11 PM

Thanks folks! If I'd been a tad quicker on the trigger you would have seen a hapless bait skipping in front of the bill but at this point it's already in his mouth. Thanks again.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments