I don't usually like photographing when the sun is not in the sky, the images usually suck. Here I was trying to stretch the limits a little bit with the 1DX2. I was really impressed I could grab focus on this tern with the 400 DO II + 2X III. The sun had already set, it was dark and as you can see there was very little contrast between the tern and the BG. This frame came out a keeper and it even prints nice 8x10. There were many sharp frames in this light...something I didn't expect.
1DX2 400 DO II + 2X III. ISO 10,000 f/8 at 1/1600sec. hand held. processed with DPP 4.4. NR in neat image. added a the faith catchlight.
Processing this image is also a challenge as the low contrast detail is hard to maintain at such high ISO. Unlike high ISO images taken under sunlight or from birds with distinct patterns in their plumage, here you have to make sure the subtle textures (the wing surfaces) aren't compromised when applying NR.
I Hope you like it.