Common Tern with prey blur

[kklasman]

On a trip to the Isles of Shoals Tern Restoration site on Seavey Island off the coast of NH I was shooting panning blurs of terns in flight against a rock background. Tiring of that, I returned to shooting flying terns against the sometimes blue, sometimes foggy sky. I apparently forgot to change my camera settings and ended up with the following image. Serendipity or stupidity? In any case, I like the result. Other opinions welcomed.

Other than major cropping and minor levels adjustments, this image is as shot.

Canon 30D, EF100-400M f4.5/5.6L IS at 400mm
1/50 sec at f/22, ISO 100

[Julie Kenward]

I like it too, Kevin. I'm not a big fan of blurred photos but this has enough of an edge to it that you can totally distinguish what it is without having to really hunt for it. I also think that because this is a scene that would naturally have motion, it works as a blur.

[Harold Stiver]

I think its interesting.

I might try burning the dark parts of the tern and alewife to give it more structure

[Robert Amoruso]

Kevin,

I tried a medium s-curve on it and two rounds of USM (175/.3/0) and gave it a nice graphic look. May not be what you are looking for - just an idea.

[kklasman]

Robert,

I'd love to see what you did. Did you intend to post it?

Thanks

[Arthur Morris]

It seems as if there are two birds in the frame--am I correct???

[kklasman]

Your guess is as good as mine, but yes, I believe there are two birds. This is as shot with no real manipulation on the computer. It looks to me as if the 2nd bird is flying left to right slightly behind the main subject.

[Arthur Morris]

In that case, I would like this one a lot better with one bird... Then a healthy boost in contrast. Love the baitfish.

ps to Robert: let's see what you did!