Late light Ring-billed Gull Bath

[Daniel Cadieux]

Taken along the Ottawa River in September. If you find a flock of gulls roosting on a beach you are bound to find some that will go to the water's edge for a bath. The trick is to isolate one as there is often a gull or two in the way! A lower angle was not possible due to a couple of those FG gulls that are just below the frame, but I still like the point-of-view and odd pose achieved here.

Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/1250s., f/7.1, ISO 400, natural light, handheld, slight crop for composition, made the water bluer via selective colour and lighter via levels.

[Stu Bowie]

Dan, with this month's theme of bathing, there's always going to flying droplets around the image. Interesting to see the different amounts on the various images. The gull looks like he's doing backstroke, and enjoying the moment. The central placement works well here. Of course the droplets add to the image too.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Awesome light and the fact that there is eye contact still in the pose makes it for me...Nicely done Daniel!

[Dan Busby]

I think the eye catch really brings interest to this photo Daniel. The water splash is great and the unusual head angle keeps the interest. Also nice work on water - it's a nice backdrop for the scene.

[Dave Leroy]

An unusual pose and the gull definitely looks like it is enjoying the bath. Very nice soft light.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautiful detail and nice pose caught. I find the water a slightly strange colour.

[Rosie Green]

I like the sharpness of the eye contrasting with the movement on the wings. I still maintain you can do things with your 7D + 100-400 set -up that are an inspiration to us all.

[Jeff Sorbie]

He looks like he is having a great time. I really like the lighting, sharpness and water droplets. Nice photo!

[dankearl]

Cool body position, I like the smug look on its face.

[Arthur Morris]

Focus nailed in a difficult situation and I love that you can see the face. I did not expect that from the thumbnail.

[Chris Martinez]

Being able to see the face with an open eye really makes this special.