Least Terns Mating ~ The Exchange of Gifts

[Jim Fenton]

After dancing behind this gal for a half hour and tempting her with numerous shiny fish as offerings, he finally won her heart over with this one.

Nikon D2Xs, 500 AFSII, TC14EII, ISO 400 @ f8

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Excellent behavior shot, Jim. This fish really looks special. :) I wish for a lower shooting angle and a catchlight.

[Jim Fenton]

Hi Axel....

Earlier in the afternoon, I had actually tried a lower angle. What I found however was that in doing so, I'd loose the definition of the outstretched wings of the male and I thought that the balancing act on the female, added to the presentation?

[Alfred Forns]

He should have been able to do it with his good looks !!!!!! Love the image particularly the shadow detail Only improvement I can see is shooting from a lower angle !! Big Congrats !!!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Hi Axel....

Earlier in the afternoon, I had actually tried a lower angle. What I found however was that in doing so, I'd loose the definition of the outstretched wings of the male and I thought that the balancing act on the female, added to the presentation?

Hi Jim,

I can see your point. BTW, have you tried to raise the color temperature? I'm not sure if it has a very slight blue cast.

[Jim Fenton]

Axel....

It was rather cloudy and a hair foggy.....I will try raising the color temp however and see how it looks :)

[Jody Melanson]

Fabulous interaction going on here Jim. My only nit would be some fill flash for a catchlight in his eye. I don't remember if I welcomed you or not, so, welcome to BPN and look forward to more of your images, Jim.

[Jim Fenton]

Hi Jody....

I agree that fill flash would have been nice...it started out being sunny and then clouded up with fog rolling in and since I was 2 miles up the beach and the flash was in the hosue....I didn't get a cathlight :)

It is now with me all of the time in my backpack.

[Krijn Trimbos]

I agree with the other comments. A little more detail in the eye region and a lower angle would have made this perfect IMHO. Still a terrific shot though!

[Jim Fenton]

I hear all of the "I would have liked a lower angle" comments and in some cases I'd agree.

I purposely didn't shoot this from hard on the deck because when I did, the dimensionality of the image suffered and the outstretched wings of the male simply disappeared.

I'll have to see if I kept one of the lower shots and post it later for comparison.

[Fabs Forns]

Hi Jim,

I see what you mean about the higher angle an it is your conscious choice.

It's a very tender moment, and only wish I could have been there also to get one!

I would definitely warm it up a bit, since blue seems a bit dominant, due to the quality of the light.

My nit is I wish for more definition in the eyes, a problem with some Terns and Skimmers because of such dark heads!

A fine image, only pushing you a bit ;) since we know what a good photographer you are :)

[Jim Fenton]

The reason I came here is so folks like you and the other great photographers can critique and push the **** out of me :)

[Fabs Forns]

The reason I came here is so folks like you and the other great photographers can critique and push the **** out of me :)

That' s the spirit!!!! :D

[Del Cockroft]

Hi Jim, I've always admired your work from other websites and having just joined, I was very pleased to see you here. How is the D300 coming along?

[Jim Fenton]

Hi Del.....

The D300 is coming along fine. It's nice to be able to shoot at somewhat higher ISO ranges than the D2 series and the AF seems to be working fine :)

[Glenn Bartley]

What a great moment captured. I think the nits have been covered so I will just say - Welcome :)

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Great timing,congrats Jim!