This was taken at Nickerson at 6:45 AM last Wednesday, on that fortuitous morning already mentioned by Artie and Geoffrey, when sun, wind and birds all cooperated nicely. This is cropped to 50% of full width. The next pane shows the full width image, but I rather like this more intimate view.
Here's the full-width shot, cropped to pano (bit added to right, equivalent bit cropped from left). An oof skimmer cloned out of BG. Which do you like better?
Both work for me with the OP placing the emphasis on the chick and the RP placing it on the adult bird. I like the way that the adult is standing over the chick in a protective pose. Good detail in the blacks but some of the whites look a little hot on my monitor. Thanks for sharing this intimate moment. We don't have these birds in the UK, so nice to see.
Both shots work for me. I like very much how the parent is standing over the chick who seems totally uninterested in having its picture taken. As already mentioned, the area just to the right of the shoulder seems a little hot to me and I can't see as much detail on my screen. Tough shadow for only being 6:45! The legs look a little over saturated to me. Same problem as I have with the oystercatchers. In full sun they just really are hard to control.
Tough call for me since both images tell such different stories. Reds and whites are close to the edge but not blown. So, if I had to make a choice it would be the second image. I do like the OOF sand at the bottom which helps to frame the image and give it a natural vignetting.
What an unexpected treat it was. We will remember those two days with the Black Skimmers and their chicks for a long time. This is a wonderfully warm intimate scene, Bill. Great early light and fine detail. I prefer the full image.
Both sharp with good color and EXP. I like the second one best. A bit of a head turn toward you by the chick would have been your lucky day.
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Black Skimmer with Chick
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