Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Arctic tern and (ugly) hand of man

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    12,731
    Threads
    910
    Thank You Posts

    Default Arctic tern and (ugly) hand of man

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I went to one of my beaches today and found this ugly old tire that someone dumped on the beach. What is wrong with people...? Less than 3 miles from this beach is a FREE drop-off facility for used tires.
    The tern preened for a few minutes and although this looks like a take -off shot he just raised his wings for a second then preened again. I think the fly on the tire just emphasizes the whole "dirty" problem.
    I got my shots,then dragged the tire back to my car and disposed of it at the tire facility. I then returned and dragged an old weathered stump of a log to the same spot as the tire was but of course the terns didn't land on it!!
    I plan on going back and hopefully the terns will learn to like the new perch.
    Canon 1D MK IV
    F 500mm
    Manual
    ISO 400 SS 1/3200 f 5.6
    Cropped bottom and left by 25%
    Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
    Gail

  2. #2
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice wing position, coastal bg. I applaud your sense of civic responsibility and hope the terns come back to your stump. I'm not an expert but the bill seems large for an Arctic Tern, to my untrained eye.

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    12,731
    Threads
    910
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Bill,
    You could be right. I initially thought this was a common tern but there are only 2 pairs on this beach and not a colony(which I would expect for common tern). Arctic terns are more common in northern NS and usually do not nest in colonies. The beak, though has a bit of black on the tip so that would be more in keeping with a common tern. I would love to hear what others think,
    Gail
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Dix View Post
    Nice wing position, coastal bg. I applaud your sense of civic responsibility and hope the terns come back to your stump. I'm not an expert but the bill seems large for an Arctic Tern, to my untrained eye.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant Joe Senzatimore's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    new york
    Posts
    3,509
    Threads
    524
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I too think this is a Common Tern. Fine image and might make a good poster for a environmental awareness campaign. Kudos to you for cleaning up. Good things happen to good people , so go back to that spot and you will probably be rewarded for your efforts.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    3,469
    Threads
    495
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice wing stretch and a great tire! I would also call this a Common Tern. The clincher for me is the dark primary feathers on the far wing. Arctic Tern would have uniform gray tone on the upper side of all of the primaries.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Gail, you are to be commended for the nice gesture you did for the environment...not sure many would have done what you did (myself included, I'm afraid to admit). Although the perch is indeed an ugly hand-of-man inclusion the image itself is powerful for the message of cleaning up our acts. Great idea to replace the tire with a natural perch too...it may take some time but it will eventually pay dividends!

  7. #7
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    10,347
    Threads
    403
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A powerful image. I have a feeling that once the Common Tern decides to land on your perch, you'll have more appreciation for the story this perch tells.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

  8. #8
    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    8,825
    Threads
    1,355
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You will get karma from your good deed, a perfect pose on your own perch next time out.
    The bird and BG look great.
    Dan Kearl

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Riverside, CA
    Posts
    6,664
    Threads
    276
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice wing display but an even more commendable action! Thanks for picking up the tire. Dave

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra, India
    Posts
    7,409
    Threads
    469
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent image with lovely composition.Love the beautiful pose and Bg.
    Agree with Joe about making a good poster for a environmental awareness campaign.
    Great job. Wish to see the Tern on natural perch soon.

    Regards,
    Satish.

  11. #11
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Gail,

    Firstly congratulations on this image, which portrays the awful behaviour of humans dramatically.

    Secondly and probably more importantly congratulations on cleaning it up , we are constantly picking up Coke cans and plastic bottles even in the most remote areas of Africa

  12. #12
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Guelph, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,509
    Threads
    827
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The bird looks grat but the perch is not very nice looking. I was wondering, besides making a point, if including as little tire as possible would work here.

  13. #13
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Gail, I like the extended wing position, well exposed, and sharp. Good to see the different layers in the BG too.

    Well done for removing the tyre, and hopefully you will be rewarded with a subject on your 'new perch'.

    Interesting in the different spelling of tyre/tire.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics