Caspian & Rainbow

Gallery: AvianPosted March 30, 2014123 views7 comments

March 29, 2014 at El Dorado Park, Long Beach, California. Rainbow Trout were planted in the lake last week. We arrived early planning to photograph Ospreys catching fish. While those that caught fish were to far away to photograph, this Caspian Tern dove and caught a trout in front of us and flew in circles trying to avoid a gull intent on snatching it away.

Nikon D4 Nikkor 600mm 1.4TC 850mm White balance sun ISO400 f/9 1/1250 Taken on a tripod with a Wimberley gimbal. Processed in Lightroom, CS6, NIK and TK.

Comments welcome

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 30, 2014 at 3:10 PM

Very unusual image Patrick. Not sure I have seen a Caspian with a fish in flight. I know it happens, just haven't seen any images I can think of off the top of my head. Nice capture.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 30, 2014 at 3:29 PM

Kurt,
We see them often certain times of the year at Bolsa Chica. But, none with fish near this size, and it seemed in a dozen trips there the light was not as nice as that at El Dorado yesterday.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 30, 2014 at 4:44 PM

Unusual to see a Tern with such large prey - really excellent capture

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 30, 2014 at 8:09 PM

Nice looking trout, Patrick, and the Tern isn't bad either. Great wing position and placement in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 30, 2014 at 9:27 PM

Well caught, Patrick. I've never seen terns with this big a fish.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 31, 2014 at 12:26 AM

Patrick,
Nice shooting with you yesterday. I had a feeling you would post one of these shots. It's hard enough to get any catch light in the eyes of a tern but to get catch light and a fish this big is just over the top. Yes, it happens here frequently but it's the only place I've ever seen this kind of action before and you nailed it. Super congrats my friend. Have a great trip to the east coast. I want to see some snowies when you get back!!! :)

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on March 31, 2014 at 8:50 PM

Hi Pat--A very cool shot which documents the mortality of hatchery reared trout that occurs right after release...................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments