Forster's Tern

This Forster's Tern image was created while coming back photographing spoonbills with James Shadle, Arthur Morris, Doug Brown, Daniel Cadieux, Randy Stout Denise Ippolito and Roman Kurywczak. I was good meeting many of these people and fellow moderators on BPN for the first time. James, thanks for the good morning.

Though I got some good spoonbill images, this was my favorite. On the way back to the dock, the terns were following the boat going after fish coming up in the prop wash. All you had to do was sit with a medium tele and snap away. Though I got many flight shots I really wanted a dive or the beginning of a dive. This one, the only one I got of a front facing dive is just perfect for my tastes. My rear facing dive got the top of Bimini top in it so delete key.

Canon 7D
100-400mm @ 330mm
1/2500 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Manual
Metering: Evaluative
ISO: 400

BTW: If there is a halo at the bill ( I think I see one), I know.:w3

Super action well captured Robert, like the incredible wing span, fish tail and amazing head turn. I would be equaly happy with a shot like this.

Nice indeed, Robert. Loved the dorsal view and tail is superb. Incredible HA for the pose. loved your comp.

I can see why this one is your favorite, love the pose, ditto superb tail and love the HA Great image Robert TFS :cheers::cheers:

Great pose, flight angle and head angle...Very nice image Robert

I inadvertently included Doug Brown in attendees that morning. Though it would have been great to have him, he was not there, just the other Avian Forum Moderators.:e3

Thanks for the kind comments everyone.

What a great HA :eek: Subject is sharp, well exposed and the comp is strong !

Do i see a sharpening Halo around the head ?

Man, I tried to get one of those banking images but came up empty-handed (lots of other flights though). Love the vertical comp, and thwe exposure is spot on.

It was great finally meeting you:S3:

Robert:

A very dynamic pose, well captured, love the tail.

Not an easy image to capture! (I know, I tried a bit too!)

Good to meet you in person.

Cheers

Randy

Sweet shot Robert! Thanks for including me in the list of folks that you spent the day with....wish I had been there! :t3

Thanks Daniel, Randy. It was great seeing and meeting you guys finally.

Interesting study of the bird's head rotation in a dive, it appears to be "level" with the ground, I wonder if this is typical of most birds to keep the head close to this position, regardless of the rotation of the body.

Great pose and comp Robert. Well done.
TFS
Todd

Great flight pose, love the tail. beautiful done.

Hey Robert,
It was finally great to meet you too after all the almosts! You did really well with the pose as they were coming fast and furious. Too bad about the one with the top in the frame....must have been the errratic driving:t3!

I've been searching for a shot like that for years - well done - great action shot of a fantastic bird, in an acrobatic pose.