gull on chocolate water

[John Chardine]

This Bonaparte's Gull image was made near Deer Island, New Brunswick. I had already had a great day on the water and as we returned to the wharf we noticed "brit" swimming nearby- this is what young Herring are called. Fishing for brit were several Bonaparte's. The lighting was super and we had spruce tree and birch backdrop reflecting in the calm water. This is one of my favourite situations for photographing waterbirds.

I cropped the image, did a minor water cleanup, lightened the eye a little, ran NR on the BG and sharpened.

Comments of course welcome!

Canon EOS 50D, 400/4.6
capture date: Friday, 2 October 2009, 1:00 PM
exposure program: Manual
ISO speed: 800
shutter speed: 1/640
aperture: f6.3
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
flash: OFF

[Ilija Dukovski]

That is lovely, the gull is excellent, great detail in the plumage,
nice HA. Excellent exp. The water makes it over the top.
You've got several deep colors just a bit stirred but not shaken:cool:
Very nice.

Do you know the story, why juv. Herrings are called Brits?

[Morkel Erasmus]

just love the water colour and the way the bird stands out - whites expertly handled...

[Doug Brown]

Works for me John. You did a nice job with the exposure. Nice feather detail and eye contact. Love the deep green of the water with a hint of fall in the orange streaks.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi John, The bird does look good. Exposure and details and very nice. It is the water that makes this image for me. The dark greens, browns, orange really make the bird stand out. Thanks for sharing.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Good-looking specimen, sharpness and soft light. The dark BG/water works for me, too.

[Arsdel Fluesmeier]

Great shot of the gull. The bkgnd makes the bird stand out.Very sharp too.

[Harshad Barve]

excellnet image , great control over white , lovely compo and expo
TFS

[Stu Bowie]

John, I really like the exposure in this, and you have captured good detail too. Interesting effect from the water, and overall, well captured.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Great contrast with the water John. Love everything here. :)