Common Terns

Gallery: AvianPosted October 28, 2010229 views20 comments

I'm working on some photos for a book project and this is one I had to process... I've hesitated in posting it here before because there is a pretty heavy lack of detail (due to ISO and crop and missed focal point I suppose) but I think the interaction overpowers some of that.

I'm almost certain this is two males fighting over territory on the small island that was packed with terns. It is essentially impossible to tell the difference between male and female common terns in flight, however when this interaction finished (and I witnessed it with several birds) the "victor" landed and interacted with another bird (likely the female, that waits around and gets fed by the courting male until satisfied). So, while I'm not certain, I'm pretty confident in what is going on here.

Cropped to vertical, canvas added on bottom, sharpened

NIkon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH @ a Tern Colony
f/8
1/2500s
ISO 640

- Luke

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 28, 2010 at 10:32 PM

Excellent!!
Nice behavior, great colors and clean BG.
I agree that it is the behavior you describe.
Nice catch!

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Day on October 28, 2010 at 11:28 PM

Fantastic capture. I like your framing. How big a crop is this?

Registered on August 5, 2008, 25 Posts, 173 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 28, 2010 at 11:53 PM

With the canvas added on, it's about 50% of the original

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 29, 2010 at 12:35 AM

The fast shutter speed really stopped the action. The poses and interaction is excellent imho.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on October 29, 2010 at 4:13 AM

Fantastic tern shot Luke! You have been holding out on this one!

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 29, 2010 at 6:21 AM

I like the interaction Luke. For me, the tough time I have finding the eye on the top bird reduces the impact of this image. A bit too much open space for my taste as well. But these nits are just me.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 29, 2010 at 6:40 AM

Action and positioning of the two birds is certainly ey-catching Luke.. Also like the 'misty/hazy light' feel of the shot

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on October 29, 2010 at 9:24 AM

This is just wonderful Luke. Excellent capture and interaction.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on October 29, 2010 at 10:16 AM

Just love the interaction you captured. Terns are not the easiest of subjects either. Well done!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on October 29, 2010 at 12:24 PM

Very nice interaction you have captured here Luke. The image is quite engaging. Well done!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on October 29, 2010 at 3:11 PM

Very nice behaviour and situation.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on October 29, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Wonderfull interaction despite the points you mentioned.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 30, 2010 at 1:36 AM

I like the action and the position of each bird's head showing that this is not a friendly encounter, good job in getting this difficult flight shot,

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 30, 2010 at 4:34 PM

Luke,

I like the interaction, the sky background and the size of the terns in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 30, 2010 at 11:17 PM

I can see why this one made the book, great interaction well captured here Luke

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on October 31, 2010 at 12:38 PM

Luke,
I love this action shot. Beautiful flight pose and interaction.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 31, 2010 at 5:38 PM

The interaction is amazing. I also really like the composition. There is not a great deal of detail but I do not think it matters in this shot, it is the action that counts.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on October 31, 2010 at 6:57 PM

Great action and I really like the extra sky around the birds.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 31, 2010 at 9:09 PM

Really interesting image Luke. The interactive flight postures are great and I like the blue at the top of the frame to make the background more interesting. You may have lost much of that with a tighter crop.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on November 5, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Cool shot, Luke....

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments