White-winged Tern

[Chris van Rooyen]

While I was photographing flamingos at Kamfers Dam early in the morning last year, a White-winged Tern was hunting in front of us all the time. Finally it settled on a little stump, and I was fortunate to capture the moment of landing. The light blue water and the pink reflection of the flamingos created a an unusual and pleasing background, which complimented the elegance of the tern.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:12:14 05:52:42
Shutter speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: 9
Exposure mode: Tv
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 800
Focal length: 700mm

[Ramon M. Casares]

Outstanding Chris! Great pose, beautifull light and BG,lovely comp and detail is great! Congratulations!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great light, colors, wing position and details. The reflection of the flamingos makes it really special.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely image, Chris. Light pose, details and BG all work well. Is that a mosquito/midge just in front of the small stump?

[bill kominsky]

Agree with everyone Chris, super image, a huge congrats.

[Caroline Darmo]

A lovely image Chris! Beautiful light, the bird looks sharp and has a nice wing position. The pink reflections really enhance the image.

[John Blumenkamp]

I agree with others... great timing, wing position and light on this one! An awesome image.

[Juan Aragonés]

Chris the BG is really pleasant but the action of the tern is fantastic. Superb light and lots of details including a mosquito! Great

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments guys:)

[Arthur Morris]

Love the pose, the sharpness, the peach tones, and the soft light. Only the raggedy end of the perch bugs me.