Bringing Home the 'Bacon'

[Doug Brown]

I photographed this Forster's Tern in Huntington Beach, CA a couple of months ago. Terns make for great photographic subjects. They are graceful and beautiful. They have lots of interesting behaviors. And they are most definitely not camera-shy.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/BPN/20100503-V5C0011-Elegant-Tern/895878596_iCXt5-O-1.jpg

Canon 1D Mark IV, 500mm + 1.4x, f/7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, manual exposure, hand held

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely wing position , nice BG and excellent eye , food is added bonus , excellent image Doug
TFS

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the eye contact, angle and fish. The whites could go a tad darker for my taste. The bird looks like a Common Tern to me.

[Manjeet & Yograj Jadeja]

lovely pose and sharpness

[Doug Brown]

The bird looks like a Common Tern to me.

Not sure what I was thinking when I typed Elegant Tern. I'm pretty sure this is a Forster's Tern though. I think Common Terns have gray bodies, where Forster's Terns have white bodies.

[wendell westfall]

Got him at just the right instant, Doug; nice wing position and exposure. Looks like a Forster's, the most common tern at Bolsa Chica (I'm guessing you were there).

[Joe Senzatimore]

Common or Forester's , either way its a fine flight shot. love the comp. and exposure , and the fish is a plus.

[Alfred Forns]

.. right about the body Dough and the beak for the Fosters is bigger !!

Difficult capture !! Like the overall feather detail and sharpness Clearly visible eye and having a meal !! Excellent capture !!!

[Doug Brown]

Thanks Al!

[Doug Brown]

Looks like a Forster's, the most common tern at Bolsa Chica (I'm guessing you were there).

You're correct Wendell, this was taken at Bolsa. I'll be leading a workshop there in July with Jim Neiger. Hopefully there will be some great Tern action!

[Stu Bowie]

Good flying posture Doug, and good control on the exposure - the eye stands out well against the darker plumage on the head. His catch a bonus.

[denise ippolito]

Doug, I thought I commented on this. Nice sharp details and I love the exposure.:)

[Vladimir Ivanov]

Nice image, Doug. Very well done.