Laughing Gull for Lunch

[Mike Landwehr]

I posted a horizontal shot of this peregrine falcon some time ago, but thought the subject was worth another post. After downing a laughing gull on the Estero Lagoon beach, the falcon remained in this spot until he had completely consumed the gull. This vertical was cropped from a horizontal. I cleaned up the beach and background a bit, cropped and sharpened. Any C & C appreciated.

1D Mark II N
500 mm
1/1600 @ f/5.6
ISO 320
Tripod

[John Cooper]

I missed your original post Mike but the vertical composition here is very powerful, concentrating on the falcon with its prey. I like the head turn here as it pauses feeding - a good story telling image well presented.

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot.
I really like the pose, wonderful background, great shooting angle, and love the bloody beak.
Well done.

[PhilCook]

Woot !...this is a great shot, love the long feathery legs showing, what a amazing opportunity to see and capture this...even if the Gull is not " laughing " Works well in a vertical composition as well....enviable !

[christopher galeski]

nice dinning out image,like the pose,good detail,nice light and BG.thanks.

[Nick Palmieri]

Another fan of the pose. Looks like he is taking a break and watching out for others who may wish to share his catch. IQ, low angle look good. Maybe a sliver off the top but no biggy.

[Randy Stout]

Mike:

Strong composition, in your face which fits the subject well. Nice techs as well. Yes, I can see a sliver off the top as Nick mentioned.

You have presented some strong images, so I am sure folks would appreciate your comments on their images.

Cheers

Randy

[Gary Hamilton]

Great capture! Love the low angle and the wary head turn. Very powerful stuff.

[Don Lacy]

Really strong image, great subject and natural history being told. I can also see some off the top and a little from the left and for me the image need a touch more contrast more along the lines of this.

[Mike Landwehr]

Don, thanks for the re-post. It definitely illustrates the wisdom of a little tighter crop at the top. As for the additional contrast, I go back and forth on that one. Many images do benefit from additional contrast. But, I'm trying to be careful not to overdo, as it can lead to a bit of an unnatural look. I suspect that you will agree that it is very subjective!

[David Salem]

I remember the OP and liked it then and like it now. Great job. Also I think the re-post is ok on the contrast and still looks natural. Made the peregrines cap stand out better.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful shot. Lovely light, eye contact and low angle here, Mike.

[Don Lacy]

Don, thanks for the re-post. It definitely illustrates the wisdom of a little tighter crop at the top. As for the additional contrast, I go back and forth on that one. Many images do benefit from additional contrast. But, I'm trying to be careful not to overdo, as it can lead to a bit of an unnatural look. I suspect that you will agree that it is very subjective!

Yes it is subjective but by adding contrast in most cases you are compensating for the limitation of the capture medium and brining the image closer to how are mind perceives color in nature. Also the monitor the image is viewed on effects the way we see contrast and color which is why I often say for me or on my monitor when commenting on images. This is still avery strong image and one you should be proud of.

[ArabindaDebnath]

Great action captured nicely.Excellent shooting angle with nice details.To my taste I would leave a bit more space in the left.Anyway superb image.

[Ivan Ellison]

Agree with above, a strong image, one I would love to repeat. the bird looking away is great , sharpnes spot on , the re post has def lifted it a bit- has made me think about increasing contrast on my pics , something I do not do at present.