Inca Tern Over Lima Harbor

[Bill Dix]

The Inca Tern, for me at least, is one of the iconic birds of Peru. It was at the top of my target list on our recent trip. Unfortunately we only had a few hours in Lima before we caught the flight over the Andes to the Amazonian lowlands. By prior arrangement a local guide picked us up in the predawn and took us to the waterfront. A number of my targets were flying around in the morning fog, which wasn't to lift for hours. Most of the birds were lost in the fog, or when close enough to get any detail, were so close that I clipped wings and tails. This one is full-frame, although I did have to move him back a bit in the frame to give him some flying room. The patches of color are fishing boats in the harbor. With some advance planning and a lot of luck I was able to get a few frames of my target, and some other nice coastal specialties as well, before we caught the flight.

D7200, 500f4, ISO 3200, 1/1250s @ f/6.3 manual, monopod.

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Bill, well done, considering the circumstances... that a very cool tern!! No need to comment on the bkg, as there's not a darn thing one could do... Thks for sharing this very cool species!!!
Good Shooting!!!
Don

[Grace Scalzo]

Bill, I normally don't like unnatural colors in an image, but the blue and yellow almost look like a color-block and really add a unique element to this frame. Maybe you already did, but I would lighten the dark patch underneath the yellow. The bird is great and I'm glad you shared this image.

[Mike Poole]

Lovely bird you've captured Bill, I think that's about as good as possible given the conditions - flat light can be a plus when used on the right subject, good work

[Karen Pleasant]

I can see why you made special arrangements for a chance to photograph this bird. What a lovely tern! Well captured with good sharpness and DOF. I agree with Grace that the color blocks provide a little interruption to the fog and contribute to an overall excellent image.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

The yellow in the BG is a bit of an eye sore I think, but the bird makes up for it. What an absolutely amazing looking bird.
Overall a very pleasing shot with a great flight angle on the tern.
TFS mate!

[Lorant Voros]

Wow, what a bird! Good in flight shot; I find the boats destructing in the BG. TFS.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Great capture under the overcast/foggy conditions we had, Bill. What struck me upon first seeing this image, was how nicely the soft focus on the colored boats pops the Inca Tern beautifully. Great detail on all colors, and especially well done whites (wing trim and mustache).



Geoffrey

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I've always loved the diversity of opinion on BPN. (Like the weather, if you don't like an opinion, just wait awhile.) Personally, I rather like the areas of color in this frame. To me they make it a bit unique. But maybe that's because they remind me of the picturesque harbor and its colorful fishing fleet. I do have other frames without the color, and will try to post one of those in the future. In any event, I really appreciate everyone's time and thoughts.

[Arthur Morris]

I sort of like the boats. Belatedly :) a

[Bill Dix]

I sort of like the boats. Belatedly :) a

Thanks. Do did I. But I guess it's a personal thing.