Terns

[Mike Fuhr]

I don't get to post many birds but I thought I would share this one I took on Grand Isle, LA a few days after the oil spill. That whole thing is really depressing.

I was trying to capture these terns in flight for a large part of the afternoon but really couldn't get close enough. I decided to try for a group instead. After many unsuccessful attempts, I got this one which I like a lot, particularly the single Caspian tern surrounded by the others. Slight crop and and a few minor adjustments, including sharpening.

D300
100-300 mm
300 mm
F5.6 (-.67)
1/4000
ISO 200

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the concept of the image, and the Caspian's orange bill adds a nice touch of colour to an otherwise monochromatic look (which I like). I also like the DOF with a few of them OOF for a sense of distance. I find the image dark, so in the repost I adjusted the exposure using Levels...and I also made another change to your image...can you see what it is?:)

P.S. I would also clone out the dark areas at bottom...

[Mike Fuhr]

What a fun game! Yes -- the separation at the 11 o'clock of the Caspian is greater. Did you move the whole bird I assume? Cool.:)

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Cool composition Mike and I like the Caspian having center stage with that lovely orange beak. Also like the OOF and IF birds as it adds a lot on character and interest to this image. Lovely work Mike !!!

[Mike Fuhr]

Cool composition Mike and I like the Caspian having center stage with that lovely orange beak. Also like the OOF and IF birds as it adds a lot on character and interest to this image. Lovely work Mike !!!

Thanks Judy -- those are my favorite parts too!

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Mike - My favorite shot of yours from the trip. Would make a really nice print.

DB

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes Mike, I moved the whole bird away from the Caspian:). For this smaller web version I used the clone stamp to move it, and then patch up the remnants(and extend the tail a bit)...but on the full-scale version you'd want to use a Quick Mask for a "cleaner" result.

[Harshad Barve]

terrific image , lovely design and amazing digital modifictaion by Daniel
TFS

[Martin Wallis]

Great image and I like what Daniel's done in the repost too.