Elegant Tern Courtship

[Doug Brown]

While not the most technically excellent photo, I really like the behavior that it captures. It's also a relatively large crop, which doesn't help. The Elegant Terns fly in formation like the Blue Angels during courtship. The female then lands in the water and the male flies over her with a fish. She jumps out of the water and takes the fish from him if he's to her liking. I have a series of these photos and will post more over time.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/photos/339852460_HaVPg-X3.jpg

Canon 1D Mark III, 700mm, f/8, 1/2500, ISO 500, + 2/3 EC, no flash, hand held

[Ramon M. Casares]

You said it, it is not in focus but the moment captured is worthy enought to post this one as the info you gave us about the terns is great! Congratulations!

[Raymond Barlow]

cool behaviour shot Doug.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Great colors and timing!!!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Super interaction that's for sure, and I like the semi-submerged tern at the bottom. Correct me if I'm wrong, but has the BG been gaussian blurred (to my eye it has that look)?

[Arthur Morris]

High marks for behavior. Have you tried selecting the birds and using a contrast mask? (Unsharp mask at 15/650 to 30/130/0). I have saved similar images with that but have never been truly thrilled...