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Doug Brown
08-10-2008, 09:00 AM
I just love Black Skimmers! I had never seen one prior to my recent California trip. The skimming behavior is incredible to witness; photos don't do it justice.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/photos/348363205_awP6L-X2.jpg

Canon 1D Mark III, 700mm, f/7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +1/3 EC, no flash, hand held
Sabyasachi Patra
08-10-2008, 09:09 AM
I envy you. Don't know how you shoot handheld. Nice colours, Nice image.
Bruce Enns
08-10-2008, 09:19 AM
A beatiful image Doug! Great eye contact, wing position and exposure. I seem to need just a bit more space on the left for the bird to fly into...

Cheers!
Bruce
Dan Walker
08-10-2008, 12:09 PM
Great image, Doug. I really love the color of the water, pretty smooth as well. Bird looks very sharp. Skimmers are super sweet.

Dan
Doug Brown
08-10-2008, 12:34 PM
No AS :). But I will tell you that it was a real physical challenge tracking skimmers and terns in flight while hand holding for about 5 hours and 1,000 frames. I brought only my monopod for the trip, and put it back in the car after about 5 minutes.
Manos Papadomanolakis
08-10-2008, 01:04 PM
I really like the wing position,timing and colors!
Judy Lynn Malloch
08-10-2008, 02:48 PM
Having had the opportunities to photograph these beauties I can appreciate the wonderful image that this is Doug. Wonderful skimming action and a superb catchlight to top off this great capture.
susanschermer
08-10-2008, 03:33 PM
Wonderful capture, Doug. Having done a number of these at Fort de Soto, I know the challenges presented. Nice that you got him with a good head-angle. I notice that when you do them at this angle you can't get the wake they leave behind in the water. The eye is nice.
Had a great month in NM. Sorry I didn't catch up with you.
david cramer
08-10-2008, 04:50 PM
Very nice image, Doug. Great eye contact.

I've seen Doug climb steep arroyo hillsides handholding a long lens to get a shot, so I'm impressed, but not surprised!
Daniel Cadieux
08-10-2008, 07:53 PM
A beatiful image Doug! Great eye contact, wing position and exposure. I seem to need just a bit more space on the left for the bird to fly into...

Cheers!
Bruce

I think there is already enough room. The Skimmer occupies most of our right in the frame, with lots of the front left as empty space.

Doug, I can't believe how deep in the water the lower mandible is in this image...with the top one also touching the surface. VERY cool!!:)
Bonnie Block
08-10-2008, 09:29 PM
Super nice, Doug. Such great detail! Glad you had such a wonderful time with them!
Rod Wiley
08-10-2008, 09:45 PM
Very nice action shot.