Least Tern

I suppose it's hard to name a favorite Tern; like asking someone to name their favorite child. But this species is high on my list.

The outgoing tide left a pool on the Plum Island beach, and the colony of Least Terns was using it for bathing. Most of the edge of the pool was dull muddy sand, but one patch of vegetation on the edge left nice reflections. I lay down and waited for someone to land in the right spot. Most of the bathing action was elsewhere, but I liked the serenity of this one. Almost full width, cropped to pano.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 1000, 1/2000 @ f/7.1 manual, fill at -1.7.

Bill, love it. Your patience paid off. It's better to wait for them to come to you than to chase them. Perfect exposure, love the low viewing angle, good comp. LoiLoi

Bill:

Subtle, serene, like your inclusion of the full ripples, catchlight and exposure.

I might try a version with a bit off the top.

Cheers

Randy

Perfect size in the frame to hold all the ripples. Beautiful BG colors, and the bird looks great too :-)

Beautiful image Bill - super pose and IQ, and the BG is a killer

Very nice looking shot. Great looking pose, IQ and the eye is nice and visible.
These are such dainty little Terns. I shoot Terns a few days a week and there are five species flying around, when you see a Least, it looks tiny compared to the other species. Nice work.

Good job waiting on the opportunity. I love the colours of the surroundings and the full profile pose of the tern. The ripples add alot of interest to the water texture. The comp feels nicely balanced, but I too cold see an alternate version with some more taken off the top. Nicely done!

Excellent composition, including all the ripples, Bill. Lovely water colors and very nice pose.

Thanks everyone.

Bill, I love the crop on this one. The whole image is special. As you indicated, serene. Nicely captured and everything works together for a beautiful image. I can't think of a single thing to change.

The tern looks great, exposure/details spot on. Nicely squared to the sensor. The ripples are a very fine detail, but what I enjoy the most are the colors you achieved in the water and background. The colors here are unlike what I see in most least tern images and your careful low angle alignment to the scene to capture the colors is to be commended.

I really like the color palette on this one. Looks like it paid off to pick your spot and wait.

lovely comp with excellent exp & details. love the duck like pose on this one.