Arctic Terns Courtship

Gallery: AvianPosted November 25, 201432,767 views11 comments

When I first discovered this pair on the Seward Peninsula (near Nome Alaska) they were both flying around this small tundra pond often diving into the water and catching food. After a while one tern alighted on these rocks and began preening while the other bird kept foraging, but every time the other bird caught something now, he would bring it over and feed it to his mate via air delivery. The light was not quite ideal for this fast action, luckily the pair gave me several opportunities to capture this moment.

Canon MKIV; 600mm; 1/1600; f5.6; ISO 1600; manual exposure setting using spot meter; tripod and ball head

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 25, 2014 at 8:27 PM

This is a top image no matter how you slice it - love the interaction and how unbelievably bold the red on the beak and feet is

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on November 25, 2014 at 8:48 PM

Lovely action and interplay between the two. I wish there were more detail in the black and the eyes coul be seen, but I also understand how next to impossible that might be.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on November 26, 2014 at 1:26 AM

Ken,
The "moment" is captured perfectly. I agree that the detail in the blacks is missing, but what can you do?

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on November 26, 2014 at 3:04 AM

Neat capture Ken. Lovely interaction.
There does seem to be a loss of detail in the blacks and whites but a very eye catching shot

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on November 26, 2014 at 10:24 AM

The pose of the bird in flight is fabulous as is the interaction between the two birds. Wonderful. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 26, 2014 at 11:39 AM

Excellent behavioral capture Ken in what looks to be very challenging conditions, wonderful work!

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

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on November 26, 2014 at 2:55 PM

Dynamic shot. If I had my druthers I wish the bgd were a bit more compelling.

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on November 26, 2014 at 11:48 PM

Fabulous composition and pose...really a gorgeous shot and such a wonderful moment between the two birds.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 27, 2014 at 10:26 AM

Very nice Ken, wow!
Just a pleasure to view, couldn't be better.
Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on November 30, 2014 at 11:47 AM

Ken,
Wonderful catch. The light must have been mighty harsh. Agree with Martin's comments about the whites and blacks.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on December 13, 2014 at 8:44 AM

Hello Ken

I am a little late on this one but wanted to comment. Great interaction captured here and good preparation to achieve this image so well! The lighting was difficult with broad faced whites and darker coloured areas , All brought together in one image!
Your choice of technicals has caught them well and freezing the action with detail!

cheers

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments