Least Tern Kiss

Gallery: AvianPosted August 10, 2011126 views14 comments

Canon 1D Mark 4 With EF 500mm f4 & 1.4 tc
1/1000 sec, F 13, ISO 1600

Took this a a local beach during breeding season. I feel I captured a magic moment. thanks for looking.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on August 11, 2011 at 12:10 AM

excellent courtship behavior. BG is a little busy but exposure is good.

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

Comment posted by Ian Stanley on August 11, 2011 at 7:41 AM

perfect timing, did he give her the fish

Registered on April 17, 2011, 0 Posts, 6 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 11, 2011 at 8:55 AM

great poses and behavior, Mike. nice comp and exposure too. could wish for a little bit less oof fg in front of the lower bird, but just a minor nit on a shot I'd be glad to have taken.

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

Comment posted by David Hemmings on August 11, 2011 at 9:31 AM

This is indeed a magical moment, excellent image!

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 11, 2011 at 9:48 AM

Looks like maybe a bit more than a "kiss" to me Michael. The birds created a very nice composition and you captured a great moment.

Well done.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on August 11, 2011 at 10:23 AM

Wonderful interaction shot. Perfect timing. Too bad the bit of foreground obscures some of the female.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 11, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Excellent timing to get this, great capture.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on August 11, 2011 at 9:33 PM

An exceptional image, Michael. Your description as magical is certainly well chosen. Excellent detail in the birds and the fish. Your bump up to f13 was the perfect choice for this image. Thank you for sharing.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on August 11, 2011 at 10:05 PM

Outstanding action shot, Michael. I like the positioning of the birds here: we have a wonderful view of the top bird and enough of a view of the bottom bird to stir our interest.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on August 11, 2011 at 10:29 PM

amazing moment, love the quality, the bright/whites you manage masterly, congrats to awesome shot

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 12, 2011 at 12:27 AM

Great exposure, and intimate behavior.
Especially good view of the heads and white plumage on the forehead.
Really Nice as is, but cleaning up the BG a little would make it even better.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 12, 2011 at 7:35 AM

Wonderful, such a great moment, and well captured!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 12, 2011 at 10:01 AM

Excellent action you managed to capture on this one Michael! I like the low angle and the FG doesn't bother me...I would rather have this low angle with that FG , than a higher angle that sin't as intimate.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on August 13, 2011 at 7:51 PM

Great interaction!

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