Bathing Flapper

[Arthur Morris]

This molting adult Laughing Gull was photographed with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674565-REG/Kenko_PRO3001_4XDGXC_Teleplus_PRO_300_DG.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226), and the EOS-1DX. ISO 800. Evaluative metering -1 1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual Mode.

I learned amazingly that the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674565-REG/Kenko_PRO3001_4XDGXC_Teleplus_PRO_300_DG.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226) would AF with the 800 and the 1DX even though the 1DX will not (by design) AF with the Canon 1.4X III TC. The combo, however, over-exposes by one full stop, thus the -1 1/3 stops compensation here.

Learn tons more and see the images on my blog here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2012/08/30/mega-amazing-discovery-800-f5-6-1-4x-tc-canon-eos-1dx/) and here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2012/09/02/100-proof-and-lots-more/) and on my post in Photography Gear here (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/102647-1DX-Canon-800mm-f-5-6L-IS-Kenko-Teleplus-PRO-300-DGX-1-4x-AF-Teleconverter).

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice pose and details. I like the low angle, wing position and the gle and green background. I wish for a little more head turn, glint in the eye light on the beak.
The strength of this image IMO are the nice pose (except the HA) and feather details.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Karl. What would you have preferred as far as head angle?

[Karl Egressy]

Thanks Karl. What would you have preferred as far as head angle?

Head anngle that would have put a catchlight to the eye. Sometimes it is just not possible I know but you can always wish.

[gail bisson]

The BG is what makes this shot very nice.
Whites are exposed really well and,as always, the water drops add.
It is kind of cool how the primaries on the birds' right look like they are featherless,
Gail

[Marina Scarr]

My favorite parts of this image are the colors, all the water droplets and all the movement and variety in the feathers. I might prefer a tad off the right a little more on the left if you have it.

[dankearl]

I agree, the BG colors make the image. The wings are terrific though, very nice details.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all. The BKGR is courtesy of the East Pond at JBWR and getting down in the muck as well :)

[arash_hazeghi]

nice dynamic pose and exp. HA is pretty good IMO.

[Arthur Morris]

Nice pose and details. I like the low angle, wing position and the gle and green background. I wish for a little more head turn, glint in the eye light on the beak. The strength of this image IMO are the nice pose (except the HA) and feather details.

Pretty good answer but basically I agree. The bird here needed to turn its head a bit more away from us. That might have gotten a catchlight in the eye but either was it would have been better. I do love the look of the wings and the colors.

[Sanjeevprakash]

Lovely Colors Arthur.Beautiful Image too.I guess getting down and dirty in the muck has more advantages than disadvantages :bg3:. TFS

[Arthur Morris]

You re very much correct Sanjeev :) I did get a huge load of much all over my brand new 1DX that day :)

[Shawn Zierman]

Low angle is very nice. Love the way the feathers look in this image...totally not something one could see with the naked eye.
"dead black eye"....not good. For as dynamic as the pose is, I would of thought we would see a lot more water flying around...
Was this near the end of the bath, one of the last wing flaps?

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Shawn, I figured that at some point somebody would ask a question that would encourage me to post the original capture. As you can see, two out of focus gulls in the distant BKGR were eliminated using Denise Ippolito's Protect and Defend on a Layer techniques. Lots of work. IAC, a considerable amount of spray was lost in the process in the area just above the bird's head.... For me it was a worthwhile trade-off. With the amazing frame-rate of the 1DX I have been seeing lots that the human eye does not see!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Artie, very interesting wings here. That and the low angle with those beautiful colors....very nice. Transition is excellent in the BG and that line is just over the head...excellent.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I love the jiggly wing feathers and great colors. Nice post processing

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I like the HA but would have prefered one more pararel to the sensor, you know, more of a profile than just looking at you.
In a different stroke, I love the two-tone BG and lovely morning light.