This is one of my favorite captures and memories from last nesting season. I didn't even know this laughing gull was sitting on a chick...thought it most likely on eggs. I was concentrating on photographing the gulls nesting when all of a sudden, this little one popped up it's head and began jabbing at the adult's beak, demanding food. The adult proceeded to regurgitate some appetizing-looking dinner which had been stored and waiting for the little one. This was photographed as the sun was setting which you can see in both of their eyes. I had to use ISO 1600. Removed considerable amount of noise and a few offending twigs.
Canon 1D3, Canon 100-400L @ 400mm
F5.6, 1/400sec, ISO 1600, manual mode
Handheld at sunset
Thank you all for looking and am always appreciating the critiques and comments which come my way.
Very well done Marina! A nice scene here (maybe except for what's in the plate!:w3)
01-20-2012, 04:34 PM
Robert Holguin
A very beautiful intimate moment you captured here. Lovely light and well composed.
Well done.
01-20-2012, 04:39 PM
Andrew Merwin
Marina, I think this is a lovely image that beautifully captures a parent's devotion to her nestling. You have a really good eye for those special moments that elevates an image into the special category. TFS.
01-20-2012, 06:48 PM
Sachin Saraf
Beautiful Image Marina...Love the soft light, BG and the moment that you captured here....
01-20-2012, 06:54 PM
Michael Liskay
Wow super shot Marina! Glint in both eyes, too nice! A warm and cuddling feeling is elicited by this image!
Mike
01-20-2012, 08:53 PM
Grace Scalzo
Agree with Andrew, a signature Marina Sharr image. Intimate and personal, you offer a wonderful glimpse into their world.
01-20-2012, 09:54 PM
Morris Altman
The chick is very well camouflaged and it took me a momentto spot it. Once I found it I could nottake my eyes off of it. This is a verysweet moment. I’m not seeing details onthe shoulder in the whites of the adult. Then again, who is the star of this image? I like the catch light in the eyes and thefine feather detail on the chick and adults head Marina. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p> Morris<o:p></o:p>
01-20-2012, 10:04 PM
Cheryl Arena Molennor
What a great monent and surprise for you to see that little face pop up! The image is wonderful and show such an amazing moment that so many people will never get to see in a lifetime ( some I'm sure that don't even care too). I'm glad to be one of those that do and I would be so happy to have an image like this of my own.
:S3::cheers:
01-21-2012, 01:42 PM
gail bisson
"Yummy, yummy, I've got love in my tummy"...:t3
Excellent behavioral image. Light is great. I would consider removing the OOF twig that runs parallel to mom's head- my eye is drawn to it. I like the composition very much. Were you able to get an image without the regurgitated meal? If you did, would love to see you post it,
Gail
01-21-2012, 06:57 PM
Sidharth Kodikal
Sweet moment beautifully captured in gorgeous light. The comp is perfect and so is your processing. Excellent work Marina.
01-22-2012, 12:01 PM
ramesh anantharaman
Love the Behavioral Scene and the settings here. Some of the oof twigs in the BG may be removed. but still a beautiful image.