Forster's Tern Catch

Forster's Tern exploding out of water after grabbing a minnow.
Cropped modified panorama look to emphasize the dive point and water droplets.
Coastal South Carolina.

Chas.McRae

urveTail_FosGull_Feb2011_00083.jpg
File size: 199KB
Image Serial Number: 000-0083
Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Camera serial number: 470511630
Firmware: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows
Date/Time: 2011:02:24 11:52:08
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: EF600mm f/4L IS USM
Focal length: 600mm
Subject distance: 31 m
Image size: 800 x 368
Rotation: none
Color space: sRGB
Color profile: sRGB IEC61966-

I like the timing of the action with bird parallel to water with wings forward.

Pano crop adds to action.

Focus looks spot on where it needs to be.

I just wish bird was a bit bigger in frame. Tighter crop??

Dave

This is a tough one to pull off. I like your timing, and I like your choice of going the panoramic route for the comp. A mighty big splash for such a relatively small bird!! I do wish for better wing positions (full lower or higher upstrokes) and I detect some hot or blown patches of white on the tern...a tough exposure for sure.

Incoming tide when all the action occurred in late morning making tough on whites with bright sunshine. I backed off on exposure till I saw no flashing highlights but still small areas near neck and tail blew out and I didn't notice.
Although not ideal light just could not pass up the action.
Thanks for comments.