Sandwich Tern silhouette

[Bill Dix]

Bowman's Beach (Sanibel Island, FL), in November. As the sun dropped into the Gulf and I was walking back to the car, I decided to try a few silhouettes just for something different. This didn't turn out to be a pure silhouette, but I liked the light coming through the fanned tail.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 800, 1/1250s @ f/6.3 manual.

[Marina Scarr]

I like what you were going for here and agree on the fanned tail being quite lovely. I wish the right wing matched more closely the left.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Hi Bill,

I think that you got just the right amount of detail out of the bird. It's just enough to be able to ID, but dark enough to know that you meant to get the silhouette.

I agree with Marina about wishing for symmetry among wing tips, but you did a nice job with what you had.

Miguel

[gail bisson]

I like this.I like the fanned tail and the head in full profile.
A nice color to the sky as well..
I would take a bit off the RHS and tighten up the comp.
I would lower the exposure on the bird (except tail) to get him completely black,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

You captured a really nice flight pose, Bill. I think it qualifies as a silhouette image.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone for the helpful input. I'm not sure why the upper wing looked as it did -- motion blur??? Anyway, here's a version with some digital magic: repaired primaries, some tweaking of blacks and contrast, and a slightly tighter crop, and a slight gradient to the bg.

[Marina Scarr]

Really liking the RP.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

repost poss nicely. Love the tail feathers and great bg color Bill

[PhilCook]

Myself, I think the original is very nice, more natural in all aspects......lovely art Bill

[Robert Holguin]

Beautiful shot.
Lovely background, terrific pose, and love the light coming through the fanned tail.
Either post is great.
Well done.