River Tern

[Madhav Jois]

These birds are highly tolerant to humans and surprisingly even to photographers at Rangathittu Bird Sanctuary, India. I have made different images of this River Tern with different BG, pose and light. Appreciate your comments and critiques.
Exif: Nikon D90 with Sigma 70-300 <st1>APO, ISO 400, f8, 1/1600 shutter speed, HH from a boat, Exposure compensation:0</st1>
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4322532188_6365b3bd77_o.jpg

regards,
Madhav

[Dave Leroy]

Very nice composition and I like the colours. Nice and sharp where it needs to be. You must have been quite close to the bird. Well done. Dave

[Aiden Blake]

You took this from a boat? Very nice job. The composition is very nice too.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I too like the comp, and there is just enough "perch" showing. Interesting fluffing pose. I find the yellows (including in the BG) and reds too saturated - a reduction of saturation in both those channels would be great. Nice to have cooperative subjects...and you sure took advantage!

[Madhav Jois]

@Dave: I was hardly 15 feet away from the bird. Like I said, they are very used to boats.

@Aiden: Indeed taken from boat. Got decent shutter speed to hand hold the lens.

@Daniel: Honestly I did not change the saturation level in PP. I always shoot in Standard color mode with saturation at level 3. Even I felt that colors here look oversaturated. Here is less saturated one.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4322943488_186da3d5d0_o.jpg

Thank you folks for your comments and critiques.

-Madhav

[Bill Dix]

Nice looking tern, albeit a bit ruffled. Too bad the dark eye gets a bit lost in the dark plumage of the head. Had you tried brightening the eye just a bit? Colors look good to me.

[Stu Bowie]

Madhav, I like the forward angled pose, and sharp where it counts. I agree with Dan that the yellows are way over, but the reds dont show up at all. Your repost does look better.

[Markus Jais]

Beautiful shot. Great BG and wonderful light. The colors of the feed and the bill are amazing. Great sharpness.

Markus

[Madhav Jois]

Thanks for stopping by dear folks.
Bill, I agree with you. However I have another shot with catch light in the eye. I shall post it soon.
Stuart and Markus, thanks for your comments. Much appreciated.

-Madhav

[Ramon M. Casares]

This is just a wonderfull shot, lovely natural moment, great great BG, detail and exposure is right on! Congrats.

[RAM MALLYA]

Lovely pose and BG madhav. And i agree these birds are very tolerant to photographers.