Free Bird Photography Boat Trips!

While leading the Texel, Holland Bird Photography IPT we discovered free boat trips that offered great flight photography chances on Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, both in breeding plumage.

This image of an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was created with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II lens and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/3200 sec. at f/5 in Manual Mode. Central sensor Surround/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF barely on the bird's forehead active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial.

To learn about the free ferry rides and for a slew of flight photography tips see today's blog post, "Flight Photography Gear and Tips on the Cheapest Bird Photography Boat Trip Ever!"

As for the image, don't be shy; all comments are welcome.

Pretty cool pose Artie. Great job hand holding

Hi Artie, Wonderful pose and great details. A terrific image.

Exposure right on and love that pose. Beak and feet pop well off of that BG. Would crop from the left a tad.

Great shooting angle and wing span pose Artie. Love the IQ, especially in the left/bottom wing.

Arthur Sr:
Wonderful image of gull with beautiful HA,wonderful eye,great wing position,superb details and lovely composition.
Looks like painting. Love the frame.

Regards,
Satish.

Excellent exposure, wing position & IQ. Great HA.

Cool pose and HA. Exposed very well and lots of detail. Like the comp too. Well done

Nice exposure, wing form and HA...just starting to lose a little detail in the tail feathers from the white tones, sharp focus and love those colorful legs.....so do you think you can talk the Skipper into making a slight detour over this way...I'll tip generously :tinysmile_shy_t:

I like the fanned tail, details, exposure, sharpness and red on the bill. Composition wise I might place the gull higher in the frame because it appears that it is about to dive. Still a beauty as presented. Excellent image Arthur!

Fantastic. Wonderful pose.

I love this almost B&W image with the color in the eye, feet, and bill.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Crosswell

I like the fanned tail, details, exposure, sharpness and red on the bill. Composition wise I might place the gull higher in the frame because it appears that it is about to dive. Still a beauty as presented. Excellent image Arthur!

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Thanks. That would be an option.