Bonaparte's Gull Taking Off

A juvenile of the species lifts off during nice early morning light a couple of weeks ago. It took me by surprise as it offered no previous sign of taking off (plus lying prone in the shallow water did slow down my reflexes a bit!) therefore it was much too high in the frame and I had to add some canvas up there. It was worth the extra processing I think!

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/2000s., f/5.6, ISO 400, natural light, handheld, added canvas above then cropped to taste.

I can see some vertical lines where you added canvas, would not have noticed if you had not mentioned...
Great light and the water trails are killer!

Love those two water columns, they lift the shot. I don't mind the vertical pattern, it's consistent enough with what's below.

Stunning bird, photo, light, and BKGR. The twin spirals of water put this one way over the top for me.

with love, a

Super image, love the colors and water trails.

Great frame. Love the water trailing off both feet. Nice light and killer background.

Beautiful light, lovely BG, good dynamic pose; and of course the water.

Very nice pleasing image. I like the wing position

TFS