Black Skimmer

Gallery: AvianPosted July 13, 2010135 views19 comments

D300, 500mm f/4 + 1.7x tc, tripod
ISO 200, 1/800 sec at f/6.7
Photo taken June 12, 2010 shortly after sunrise at Ft. Pickens National Seashore, near Pensacola Beach, FL.
Cropped to 83% of full frame (10 x 8 format)
This pose emphasizes the already prominent beak of the skimmer.
Comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on July 13, 2010 at 8:03 PM

The low angle is neat and nice detail in the larger version.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on July 13, 2010 at 9:29 PM

Hi David,
WOW, sweet early morning light with exceptional details. Congratulations.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 13, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Vivid color in the beak and legs-nice catchlight, and fine detail throughout, especially in the larger image.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 13, 2010 at 10:06 PM

Nice light, excellent exposure; fine detail. I'd suggest adding space back on to the left if you have it to move the skimmer a bit out of center.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 13, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Marvelous detail, David and an unusual pose. I didn't realize this species was so "head heavy". Great angle and light.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 13, 2010 at 10:27 PM

wonderful light, and great looking exposure and details. this is really a beauty. I like the perspective on the bird, like you say, it really shows off the bill.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on July 13, 2010 at 10:32 PM

This really shows off the size of that bill! Excellent low angle and light.

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on July 13, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Nice low angle and I like the fact you got the highlight in the eye.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on July 14, 2010 at 12:14 AM

Awesome lighting, David. A wonderful capture all around.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 14, 2010 at 1:55 AM

Those are serious lips. I like the different view of a fairly common bird. Lovely light. I agree with Richard that a bit more room on the left would take the eye out of the center of the photo and accent the bill even more.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 14, 2010 at 3:20 AM

Great view of that amazing beak.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on July 14, 2010 at 3:59 AM

Great capture, David. I love this low angle shot. Beautiful early morning light.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 14, 2010 at 4:54 AM

Wonderful light and low angle. Great shot!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 14, 2010 at 5:03 AM

An awesome portrait of this beauty! Great low angle too! Excellent work David!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on July 14, 2010 at 5:08 AM

Never seen this bird but his beak does seem a bit out of proportion - must be a good reason for this. Lovely detail in this image and the bird really stands out because of that lovely early morning light. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 14, 2010 at 7:38 AM

Just beautiful David - the light is stunning and the low angle gives you a great background

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on July 14, 2010 at 11:41 AM

Sweet light and a great image. Low angle works well - he actually appears taller than you. You handled the black & white beautifully and even got some catch light. No nits from me.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 14, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Superbly done Dave. That head and beak seem to be coming right out of my monitor toward me. Everything about this image just sings for me.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 15, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Dave,

Love the setting, the light and the pose of the skimmer. I agree with you 100% on the prominence of the bill.

A fine image as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments