Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: DATE BAIT

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    10,347
    Threads
    403
    Thank You Posts

    Default DATE BAIT

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    While photographing black skimmer chicks at a nesting colony, this pair began exhibiting mating behavior directly in front of me. The male (the larger of the 2 on the right) brought in the fish for the female and teased her with it by continually pulling away with the bait whenever she got close. After 2 minutes (I went back and looked at the time sequence), when he knew he had her attention, the male allowed her to grab the fish. Immediately thereafter, they copulated for several seconds while the female held onto her prize. After the male dismounted, the female consumed the fish. Less than 30 minutes later, the pair repeated the ritual and were sitting on eggs 3 days later.

    This image is full frame. I didn't dare remove the TC for fear of missing something, and I actually like this in-camera composition and the kicked up sand.

    Comments & critiques welcomed and much appreciated.

    Canon 1D4, Canon 500L & 1.4
    F10, 1/1600sec, ISO 800, manual mode
    Feisol tripod, Jobu head
    Full Frame
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    895
    Threads
    94
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great capture and story Marina. Love the action and no need to worry about the tight framing, it works for me. I am wondering if there is anything to be gained from a little eye work? Regards, Ian.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Guelph, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,509
    Threads
    827
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great nature story and an excellent action image to boot, Marina.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,939
    Threads
    177
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Simply amazing! The exposure, light and timing is perfect. I *love* the kicked up sand. Two perfect HAs. And I loved reading the story. Your in-camera comp is perfect too. Lovely work Marina.

  5. #5
    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Manchester, England
    Posts
    3,251
    Threads
    314
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Lovely natural interaction shot Marina, and not necessarily an easy one to expose for, good work. I don't mind losing the tails, for me having the whole bird in would have lessened the impact, and while I considered an even tighter crop around the heads, I prefer it with the feet and sand as you've presented it.

    TFS

    Mike

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra, India
    Posts
    7,409
    Threads
    469
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Gorgeous image with superb IQ. very moment you have captured here. Superb HA and eye contact.
    Colour of beak is very nicely complimenting fish colour. I like the spray of sand and well balanced composition.

    Regards,
    Satish.

  7. #7
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,883
    Threads
    1,115
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice image Marina. Great IQ and I like the comp. Lovely details in both whites and blacks. Those beaks look so powerful. Great work

    Will

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    270
    Threads
    15
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent work, Marina! The timing is perfect! TFS!

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Beautiful Bucks County, PA
    Posts
    92
    Threads
    13
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is real nice and the composition couldn't be better, even with the whole birds. You put my attention right where it should be! Sharon
    Adopt the pace of Nature; her secret is patience. - Ralph Waldo Emerson



  10. #10
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Posts
    18,553
    Threads
    1,320
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    sweet interaction Marina, love the light and details too

    TFS
    New! Sony Capture One Pro Guide 2022
    https://arihazeghiphotography.com/Gu.../Sony_C1P.html


    ------------------------------------------------
    Visit my blog
    http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/blog

  11. #11
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Lakeland, FL
    Posts
    7,533
    Threads
    2,043
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Marina, lovely image. Without your description I would have thought they were fighting over the fish. A precious moment captured, thank you for sharing.
    Joe Przybyla

    "Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams

    www.amazinglight.smugmug.com

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics