Black terns are always a target species for me. They are around my parts during migration, but not frequently. I read on a birding report that a flock of juveniles was seen out east, so I gave it a try. Light was very flat, but I rather like the effect. Doesn't this bird have a sweet face and feet?
1/500, f 5.6, ISO800
Canon 1Dmk4, 500 f4 + 1.4tc + ground pod
(Someone asked on a recent thread what is worn when shooting low...I wear waders and an old shirt, and still usually manage to get soaked and filthy.)
Beautiful capture Grace! The mound is a wonderful addition to the image and allows a great view of the feet. Very nice looking bird, I was fortunate to capture one last year around this time in NY.
Grace, nice shot. I agree with Denise about the tern on the small mound. This makes the shot. If the tern were behind the mound, you'd still have a nice shot, but this one is that much better. It looks like you got some nice details in the feathers and I wouldn't be afraid of cropping just a tad more from the bottom. Looks great!
What a beauty indeed! My type of low angle, and yes the fact that it is standing on the mound makes this even more special. Great clean sand, and wonderful BG.
Congrats on getting this species. Lovely soft bg, your usual great low angle, and the mound does it. There have been quite a few Black Terns at Sandy Hook this past month, but I never got close to them.
Hi Grace, lovely soft light, and I like the placement of the Tern in the frame. Well exposed and sharp, love the raised 'sand perch' and the two tone BG has turned out well.
Love the plumage, beautiful bird. The composition is very nice, though a more parallel side profile of the bird would have been even nicer.
A kiss of flash, for a sparkle in the eye and a little illumination of the feathers would have been a worthy consideration here.
Love it Gracem The sand formation, great light and awesome detail make this a really nice image. I wonder if a slight lightening of the eye shadow might be nice too?