Another photo from my recent trip to the Farne Islands. Unfortuantely by the time I had worked out how to get them at such close range the sky was starting to white over. It is very difficult getting photos with the 24-70mm as they come at you so fast and so erratic that focusing auto or manual is very hit and miss. This photo is full frame taken at 24mm so maybe a bit close for comfort. No doubt after this photo it settled on my hat and did a woodpecker impression with that very sharp beak....ouch.
Taken with 1Dmk3 and 24-70mm lens at F5.6 1/2500s +1.33 EV.
OH, great angle Rich. It seems like these guys dont take any prisoners. This is sharp where it counts, and love the open beak. I would try and lighten his left eye a bit, if possible. Great capture.
Well Rich, I am thinking that a peck on the head may be better than poop on the lens -That is the game the Least Terns play here! Great eye contact also!! Bob
the pain we must sometimes endure to get THAT shot. and you GOT the shot. super angle, my head starts to hurt for your part when looking at this. well exposed for the sky you had!
A FF would definately be the way to go as I ended up with a lot of photos with bits of wing or tail out of frame. They do peck you on the head repeatedly and are happy to sit on your hat for a while while doing it. They make a terrible noise when they go in for the attack which I can still hear if I close my eyes. My hat got splattered, my coat got splattered and the camera and the front of the lens! You have to be careful for while the sustained attacks are occuring there are chick running around on the boardwalk under your feet.
Jim may be on to something. May be a white waterproof suit would be the way to go as it would act as a reflector and also hide the splattering effect :)
lovely shot Rich, the Farne Islands are one of my favourite locations and i try to go 3 times a year during the breeding season.
the weather is very changeable also, it can be great on land but by the time you get to the islands, the closest being 1 mile off shore, the weather can be very different.
I was lucky this year in that every visit yielded clear blue skies, but previous years have not been anywhere as good.
Arctic Tern Attack
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