Gull and chick - Arties request

[Tony Whitehead]

Artie picked on this image on my website and asked me to post it. Taken in 2004 at a breeding colony of Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae - Red-billed gull in New Zealand) on the western side of Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. It is a lovely site with a flowering succulent lawn. The dark background are distant dark volcanic rocks.
Nikon D70
Nikkor 80-200 2.8D @ 160mm
1/800s @f4.0
ISO 400
exp comp 0
jpeg

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I'm glad Artie requested this one. Great interaction, setting and soft light. Maybe a bit CW rotation? Thanks for sharing!

[Fabs Forns]

Wow, great settings for the beautiful birds, good of Artie to suggest you share it here.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the soft-looking carpet :-) Great interaction. The gulls look good against the dark BG.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Tony. I am glad that I saw this. Love the interaction and the raised foot and the two open bills. Some SH/H might improve it. Getting lower if possible would have made it even better.

[Tony Whitehead]

Thanks, Artie. I tried shadow/highlight before posting and it lightened the BG more than I liked so left it. Ideally would do on a layer and then mask the effect onto the birds only.