Caspian Tern

[Stu Bowie]

This Caspian Tern had just swooped low over the Milnerton Lagoon in Cape Town looking for his breakfast. Im glad I got him against a non sky BG, which was the distant bank of the lagoon. Taken early morning during my holidays in Cape Town at the end of last year.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/1600
F/7.1
ISO 640

Exp comp 0.67
hand held

[Troy Lim]

Everything looks good, I wish the far wing would have been pouting downward more. Love how the BG shows the habitat.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Nice one, Stuart! I'm missing just a little more detail on the wings, back and tail so I wonder if it's not worthwhile lowering the highlights just a tad to see if you could make it happen? Lovely focus on the head and nice BG!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Lovely shot Stu, I too would suggest a slight lowering of the highlights on the rump area, other than that I like the pose and the focus etc is spot on. It makes an interesting change to see this species against a non marine background.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Here is another version with the wing and body toned down.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I much prefer it, I may even consider a tad more on the rump (??)

[Bill Dix]

Lovely shot, Stuart. The repost is an improvement. I like the bg with just a hint of detail. Full downwing (far wing) would have been nice but doesn't really matter; its a fine shot in either case. On my monitor there seems to be some magenta on the wings that I've never noticed in Caspian Terns. Maybe the early morning light?

[Stu Bowie]

On my monitor there seems to be some magenta on the wings that I've never noticed in Caspian Terns. Maybe the early morning light?

Thanks Bill - I see it too now that you have pointed it out. Not sure why it is showing up, as they dont have magenta. It is easily fixed, but I will leave it for now, not wanting to repost another image.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the composition, sharpness and BG. Repost looks better. Nice image Stuart.

[David Salem]

I love Caspian Terns and this one looks great Stuart. I like the pose, wing position and the green BG. Nice eye contact too.
I think the repost looks better and the highlight reduction brought out more detail also. Well done Stuart

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack everyone.

[christopher galeski]

nice capture Stuart,repost is the one for me,some nice detail,nice flight pose.

[Craig Brelsford]

Repost works best, and I appreciate the action + habitat that you offer here.