Injured gull

I saw this gull while shooting shorebirds. It was by itself, away from other gulls. One wing was just "hanging on." Poor guy.

D300s 600 with 1.4 tc 1/500 f 6.3 EC +.7 (auto) iso 220.

Attachment 78468

A nice portrait of a sad subject. Perhaps a little more midtone contrast.

How's this?

Better!

Good image clearly depicting the injured wing. Despite its condition, this guy still had the presence of mind to offere you a great HA!:) Almost seems like critical focus is on the wing...perhaps some more selective sharpening to the face would work well.

There is typically a high mortality of fledglings like this from injury and starvation as they transition to independence. Despite this, populations of Herring Gulls and many other gull species seem to thrive. You have made a beautiful and poignant portrait Allan.

Yup, some days you win some days you lose. I like both versions and love the soft sand patterns and the blue strip. The slight head turn towards here was vital as the sun was from your right... All in all well done. BTW, we had ants in our room at the Freeport Inn and Boatel, lots of them!

Not good on the ants. I liked the location of the motel a lot.

Here is another view of the gull. I would not post two different images in the same thread but in this case I am simply showing how the wing is injured, not asking for a critique.

Attachment 78512

Yeah, that wing is in rough shape. Not sure how this guy is gonna survive long term...

It won't Daniel. I have seen gulls with feet missing and penguins with horrific, healed-up gashes from Leopard Seals, but a broken wing to a bird is like a broken leg to a horse.