Least terns mating

This is an image from 2011. I distinctly recall that evening, yet I have no idea why I never processed any from this sequence before today. I was spending time with this cooperative female when the male swooped in, presented her with a fish and proceeded to mate. This is nearly full frame, It really takes alot of luck to get them mating as it happens so fast and you just kind of have to be there and hope it happens.

Thanks for looking and for your comments, I do indeed appreciate them one and all.

Canon 1d4, 500 f4 + 2.0 tc
1/1000, f8, iso400

You must have had a lot of fabulous shots from that evening, if you never processed this sequence. Light, action, head angles and wing position are fabulous, as is the exposure. Besides which, these are my favorite terns.

excellent interaction and framing, love the details and light. well done

Such an intimate moment and image you captured here, Grace. Your light was so soft, and I like the delicate quality of the male tern's feathers. This behavior is definitely not easy to capture. There's only a small window. The male often teases the female for several minutes with the "bait" before mating her, and it's an interesting "mating dance" to photograph. It's fun to see a tern mating image against dark sand which we don't have down this way.

Grace can only echo what as already been said, beautiful shot.

Keith.

Grace;

Agree with all the positive comments, ticks all the boxes. The forms and direction of gaze would make this work well as a vertical also, although the dark sand and shadow is very effective.

Hope you find some more hidden jewels to share.

Cheers

Randy

What a bonus surprise for you to find a whole batch of unprocessed images form a special opportunity no less! Everything works really well here. Very nice :-)

Don't you love it when you find some oldies but goodies!
Love the HA's on the terns. Good comp and IQ.
Great light and the exposure is perfect.
Gail

Grace what a beautiful poetic image well done as usual!

Excellent image with absolutely IQ.
Spectacular moment captured and superb exposures in whites. Love the way they are popped up against beautiful BG.

Regards,
Satish.

Beautiful image of this copulating pair. Love the poses, the BG and the nice details. Very nice work Grace. Always fun digging something up from the past!!