4A has a Lover

[Fabs Forns]

Captured in Jimmy Neiger's boat last Friday, I don't think they mated in that moment, I got the whole sequence and no evidence, but they took off and we heard the cackling noise around the bend ;)
Thanks, Capt Jim, we had a great time!
You can see her name in the band. He was not banded.

Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens (mm): 600
ISO: 800
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter: 1/3200
hand held from boat, reason for the high s/s

[Daniel Cadieux]

Oh man Fabs, this is way cool! The only thing I'd fix is to eliminate the faint OOF circle in LRC. I love the male's spread tail behind her!

[Grace Scalzo]

This image is a treat to see, agree with Daniel about the circle, but that's minor. Terrific addition to your impressive portfolio. Thanks for sharing it!

[Peter Farrell]

Stunning image. I love the males pose. And such a delicate perch for this behavior?
Congrats on this capture.
Peter

[Charles Glatzer]

Fabs,

Killer image!

Chas

[Katie Rupp]

Hi Fabs,
Wow! Great timing and poses and of course right on with all the techs. She doesn't look very interested, though;)

[paul leverington]

Well--I usually have little impression from mating shots but this one simply has to be the best I have ever seen Fabs! Very incredible! Can't believe the perfect symmetry. WOW! And her look up at us puts this so far over the top not even a F22 Raptor could bring it down! Sweet..simply sweet...

Paul

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent pose, details, love the wing position on the top guy. Tech-wise, chose the best and excellent sharpness shooting from the boat, HHing 600 not easy!!!

doesn't get better than this, btw a very minor point is the slightly brighter oof circle to the right I would clone out.

Amazing work TFS

[Harshad Barve]

This is WOW image Fabs , terrific job
TFS

[Fabs Forns]

Thanks, guys!

About the circle, was left there to keep you guys in shape ;)

[RAM MALLYA]

what a lovely shot here superb wing display and fabulous BG

[Markus Jais]

Awesome shot with perfect timing!

Markus

[Kiran Poonacha]

Wow fabji, nice perspective, the wing position of the male just makes this a winner....

[Steve Kaluski]

Well executed Fabs, perhaps a tad more room above? Can I assume the focus point was on the eye of the female?

BTW How did you steady the lens whilst on the boat, be good to know?:)

TFS
Steve ;)

[A_Maddah]

Hi Fabs
Excellent timing , detail.I like the wing position an his look.TFS

Asad

[Vinay Lakshman]

Wonderful !! Awesome wing position of the male & love that stare of the female . TFS

[Jim Fenton]

Beautiful wing spread, beautiful background, great behavior shot....only isssue is that she looks like such a typical disinterested female :)

[Roman Kurywczak]

Woow hoo! Love it! One I don't have and you know I love the action and pose. Just super!

[Fabs Forns]

Well executed Fabs, perhaps a tad more room above? Can I assume the focus point was on the eye of the female?

BTW How did you steady the lens whilst on the boat, be good to know?:)

TFS
Steve ;)

Steve, thanks! I was switching between the ring of fire and center point so I don't remember. Whatever was on my camera at the moment, no time to go for changes ;)
I don't have more room on top, this was very fast action, very tight in frame, so lucky if I got them all in.
To steady the lens, I hold it by the foot with my left arm. I'm pretty steady and this was taken sitting down, not sure it that is better or worse.

Thanks all for your comments, I was very happy to get it.

[Harold Davis]

WOW!! a stunner for sure!! you and al got a competition going on here lately for most dramatic image?:D

[Michael Wolf]

Superb in everyway.
No nits with me at all as this is PERFECT as is.