The courting Terns at Fort Desoto were wonderful to watch and interesting to see both rejection and acceptance. I would love to know why they chose who they do but it is certain they know who they want. The fish is a love offering.
A really nice behavior image, Judy. You handled the exposure and DOF very well. The white blob above the left bird's back (a shell?) is distracting me. I think the image would be stronger if it was removed. Also, there is a quick masked (I assume?) area on the left edge above the bird's tail that looks odd because it is in focus while areas in front and behind are blurred - a minor point. Well done.
Great interaction and you handled the harsh light really well. Makes you wonder if she accepted the offer. I agree with Steve that the areas in the BG that are in focus are a bit distracting.
I've taken quite a few images of courting terns as well, and terns in general. I've also observed, on the Texas coast at least, that the male almost always presents a glass minnow, much less common than the shad and shrimp they usually eat. One problem I've had with photographing these birds is difficulty in getting any reflection from the eyes, you know those little highlights, which seems more important with a bird with a black head. I just want to know where the eyes are when I see the photograph. It could just be me.
As far as your image goes, and take this with a grain of salt for there are other members that know far more than I about photography, and probably you as well. I would have tried perhaps a shallower depth of field resulting in more of a blur in the background. I'd also consider taking the photo with the camera lower to the ground, even if I have to lay on my stomach! If possible I would also have tried to get closer to the birds, and have them fill more of the frame. They're busy, they might not notice me. As far as the shells and other stuff laying around. Sometimes there's not much you can do about it other than remove it in post-processing. What I do is try to be aware of it while looking through the viewfinder, and see if it could easily be hidden by the subject or something else by moving right or left a few inches. A more radical movement on my part would be necessary if I knew that it would be a pain in the butt to remove something by using a cloning stamp tool or whatever the image editing program calls it. Then again, in my experience, any movement on my part while photographing birds could cause them to fly off, even simply raising the camera to view through the viewfinder. Hope I didn't ramble to much, bad habit of mine. Hope this was helpful.
Last edited by WIlliam Maroldo; 06-05-2008 at 06:18 PM.
Great image Judy Lynn! I watched the other day hand holding a 500 my arms were hurting! and the male just kept shaking his head back and forth finally after 15 minutes. you really captured this well!
Many thanks for your comments and I agree with many of your suggestions. This area where I photographed the terns was an area that has been roped off so to get any closer was impossible. They roped it off because there are many nesting birds . The low angle is always the best but again this was not possible because of all the birds that were in front of me. Normally I do get down at eye level. The eye can be seen on the tern on the right. I admit they are difficult to see and even more difficult to photograph unless the sunlight catches them just right. I appreciate the time you took to comment and again many thanks.
Hi Judy
I was looking at my post in reference to your image again, and my advice was kind of like a back seat driver, and hindsight is 20-20. I am no expert on too much that is displayed or talked about on BPN. I finally thought there was something I could contribute from a more knowledgable position. Mainly because I have been behind the camera taking photographs of the same birds as you have (the terns) and observed their behaviors many times, and not only the Royal Terns as you have here, but Forsters, Least and Sandwich terns. I realize, now that you've explained the circumstances, the rope, the other birds in the way, etc., that you were looking at the situation exactly as I would have. As far as the depth of field. I was just talking off the top of my head, I don't know what I what I was thinking. Honestly, given the same situation I would be trying to get the birds in focus and a blurred out background would the least of my concerns. As far as a shell being in the scene, again I would be more concerned with getting the birds in focus, having correct exposure, and framing properly. What I forget when I'm looking at a still photo, is that these birds are in highly unpredictable motion. However, when I photograph birds that move more slowly, like the gallinules, the spoonbills, ibis, etc. I have more time to fnotice stuff in the scene that I would need to remove later by post-processing, and try to move my viewpoint if possible to shoot around it. Oh, yeah. Great photograph!
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