Great Skua

[Geoffrey Montagu]

From Iceland 2012, this Great Skua was one of both parents circling us possibly because we were in the vicinity of their nest. We stopped in our tracks as soon as they started showing their displeasure with our presence. C&C welcome.

D3s, Nikon 500mm, 1/640, f 7.1, ISO 640, Gitzo tripod, Wimberley Gimbal head.


Geoffrey

[Karl Egressy]

Nice image of a rarely posted bird.

[William Dickson]

Hi Geoffrey, Great flight shot of a bird I have never photographed , but would love to I like the details you have captured on the wings. Good work

Will

[arash_hazeghi]

Great to see less common species, you have nice light and BG. the head is turned away from us and the details look a bit coarse. Was this a big crop?

TFS

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Great to see less common species, you have nice light and BG. the head is turned away from us and the details look a bit coarse. Was this a big crop?

TFS

Thanks Arash. The crop is about 60% of original and no sharpening added.

[arash_hazeghi]

Thanks Arash. The crop is about 60% of original and no sharpening added.

can you post a 100% crop from RAW? I wonder why the details are lacking

best

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Here's at 100%.

Geoffrey

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

The bird just appears to be a little soft in the crop.
With the OP, I am sure it's not, but it appears to be pasted on to the BG. Also, I would not place the bird that far back, and go for a vertical presentation as another option. Perhaps some selective sharpening of the skua will make it pop out better.
TFS

[arash_hazeghi]

RAW doesn't look bad Geoffrey, email me the TIFF file and I'll process it for you

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the translucence of the top wing's feathers...very nice. Good pose overall, and I am OK with the crop you chose due to the interesting textures in the BG.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Thanks everyone. Thanks Arash, I'll email you the TIFF soon. Very good of you to offer.




Geoffrey