Gray Kingbirds

Gallery: AvianPosted January 9, 2012221 views19 comments

These two were at each other for several minutes, one trying to dislodge the other from a high perch in a tamarind tree.

D3s
500mm f/4
TC-14E II
Gitzo GT3530LS
Wimberley II
1/6400s @ f/6.3
ISO 1250
-2/3EV
Matrix metering

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on January 9, 2012 at 2:03 PM

This is really nice. Love the position of the birds and the techs are solid.

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 9, 2012 at 3:31 PM

Sweet! Nice action capture and exquisite detail and sharpness. The deep blue sky makes an attractive BG!

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 9, 2012 at 3:47 PM

Way to cool, excellent detail and sharpness on both birds in flight and wonderful action to go along, nice job in getting this difficult shot, the larger image looks great, well done.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 9, 2012 at 3:59 PM

Nice action Chuck. Bird's were in the same general focus plain, so f/6.3 worked for you along with the very fast SS. I am wondering if this might be just a tad dark overall. The sky look nice as posted, but if you lightened the entire image it might look a bit less overpoweringly blue. Just my taste in sky color talking.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 9, 2012 at 4:26 PM

Great action photo Chuck!!! Excellent detail and body positions. Sweet Photo

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 9, 2012 at 5:22 PM

Terrific action - a unique image. Good sharpness. I'd go slightly lighter as Ron B suggests.

Where did you take this?

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

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on January 9, 2012 at 6:00 PM

Excellent shot...very difficult to get!

Registered on September 6, 2011, 14 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 9, 2012 at 6:35 PM

Nice work to get both so sharp. I like the action.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 9, 2012 at 7:42 PM

I like this a lot as posted. Great interaction, both birds are sharp (a feat unto itself, esp in a dogfight like this) and wonderful flight postures to illustrate what's going on. Comp works well and you even got light in the eyes of both combatants. The exposure looks fine on both birds to me so if this was the actual color of the sky I wouldn't fiddle with it if it were mine. An excellent image IMO.

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

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on January 9, 2012 at 11:30 PM

Great interaction and the detail is wonderful Charles. Love the catchlight in each bird's eye, and the relative position of one to the other.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 10, 2012 at 3:09 AM

Rich- this image was captured last Sunday morning in St. Thomas, USVI.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 10, 2012 at 6:11 AM

Very nice action shot you have here ! Compliments ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 10, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Wonderful image Charles! I keep attempting to do this with my small birds, but it requires a good bit of luck along with the trying..
Nice framing and technically well done, it's a great interaction - your picture tells a great story.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 10, 2012 at 8:15 AM

A terrific image Chuck, I love the great poses, the ineraction, light, sharpness, detail and comp. I'd love to have this in my portfolio! One of your best!

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on January 11, 2012 at 12:51 AM

A terrific frame n great interaction !
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 11, 2012 at 1:12 AM

A truly remarkable image, Chuck. A wonderful capture, spot-on techs and strong composition. No nits from me.