Red-billed Tropicbird

[Bill Dix]

From Little Tobago Island 10 days ago. The sun angle was far from ideal -- we had no choice as to time of day for our visit. But as the birds flew into the sun against the dark cliff beyond, they were spectacular. Also amazing was the behavior of the Frigatebirds, that I've not witnessed previously. They would soar high above the Tropicbirds, and occasionally single out a target, go into a dive, and try to snatch their quarry in mid-air. We witnessed one successful grab when we first arrived on the cliff, but I failed in subsequent attempts to track a Frigatebird and hope for the shot. I had mixed emotions as to whether I wanted to see him snag one of these beautiful white flyers.

D7200, 80-400 VR @ 400mm, ISO 800, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual. HH.

[Lorant Voros]

The bird stands out good on the dark and even BG and the pose is fantastic. The head area seems a bit strange....maybe a little motion blur that is going on there? Is it a large crop? TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, great flight pose showing the full wingspread, and love the curved tail. The bird certainly pops from the dark BG. I actually saw this behaviour in TV the other day.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing position, flowing tail and dark BG is a real bonus. Very well done Bill.

[Marina Scarr]

You did really well under obvious difficult lighting conditions. Love the trail of the tail and the flight pose. The white bird against the dark BG works nicely.

[arash_hazeghi]

what a unique bird, it stands out nicely against the dark BG. The long tail is really nice too, normally I'd prefer a vertical for this kind of bank shot but given the long tail I'd also go with the horizontal comp

TFS

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone. Lorant, I guess I'd call this a moderate crop: the image as posted is about 78% of full width. I think what you may be seeing is the sun hitting the slight bulge over the bird's eye.

[David Salem]

This is one bird that I have always wanted to photograph. They are so beautiful with their bright beak, awesome feather patterns and that killer long tail. Just as you mentioned, I really want the shot of one of these beauties being pursued by a Frigate. A lifer of a frame for me sure. I have seen it on video but never captured in a photo. Something to strive for I guess. First I need to be in the right part of the world to actually see one :) The frame looks great considering the sun angle wasn't the best. Nice pose and a dark BG. Well done Bill

[Bill Dix]

Thanks David. While we were up on the cliff there was a fellow with some big video equipment recording the Frigatebird/Tropicbird interaction, for a show to be aired on BBC in a year or so. He was so intent on his work that I didn't disturb him with questions, but I'm sure he managed to get some of the capture shots.