Sandwich Tern - non breeding

[Chris van Rooyen]

I was fortunate to spend last weekend at Walvis Bay in Namibia, where I photographed this tern at a roost in the harbour. The conditions were quite tough - an ice cold wind was blowing fiercely, forcing the birds to take shelter in a sheltered corner of the harbour. However the light was superb, and the birds offered great opportunities. I used my 055CL tripod with a Manfrotto 501 head.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:09:26 18:028
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 800
Focal length: 500mm with 1.4 TC

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very cool pose, light, details and the BG works for me, too.

[Arthur Morris]

Wonderfully sharp with a cool wing position and a perfect exposure.

[Glenn Bartley]

Another outstanding image from you sir :)

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Love the great flight pose here and the excellent exposure and detail. fine work Chris.

[Fabs Forns]

Beautiful exposure and pose!

[James Salywoda]

Very sweet pose captured well done....

[Satie Sharma]

Fantastic shot, Chris. Love the wing position, background and detail here.

[Peregrine Craig Nash]

Very Nice. Having visited Walvis Bay earlier this year in february I sadly didnt get any decent lihjt at all. Did you get any decent images of the Damara Tern?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys! Peregrine, no I did not get any Damara Terns. I spoke too several guys in Walvis and it seems the light situation is very unpredictable. I also could not get to Sandwich Harbour because the see had washed the "road" away.