I write often that I am not very good at capturing image of birds in flight and in action. In a recent post somebody commented in a rather crude manner that I was full of it. I am not. In addition to slowing reflexes I often get very nervous when I see a great bird flying towards me. When this endangered drake Spectacled Eider began running across the water to lift off I remember taking a deep breath and concentrating. I made only two frame while Brian and EJ each made many more. But I was thrilled with this one.
This image was created in Barrow, AK with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, and the EOS 1D MIV. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2/3 stops off the bird in the water: 1/500 sec. at f/11 set manually. (Just before they took flight I had been attempting to get some d-o-f while photographing the pair.)
Don't be shy; all comments welcome.
ps: This is a very small crop from the rear and from above.