Arctic Skua

[Krijn Trimbos]

Another one from Spitsbergen. We had done normal flighshots of these beautiful birds a couple of years ago, but decided we wanted something different this time. This Skua was attacking a Gull that came a bit close to its nest. The BG is one of the mounains in the shadow. Next to my usual workflow (levels, curves, saturation) I took out some smudges of snow in the BG and enhanced the catchlight.

Hope you like it,

Canon EOS 7D 1/1600 f8
ISO 500
Canon 100-400mm L IS USM
Focal Length 400mm

[Gal Shon]

Love the back-light and the dark BG, both adds to a dramatic and a fantastic image.
I think I would lighten the bird a tad more, wish for a better bill wing separation

p.s
didn't had the chance to tell you,
but your phalarope image from the same trip... is one of a kind, its probably my 2010 favorite.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Love the mood and moment, intensely dramatic! Well done

[Michael Zajac]

There looks to be some halo and white blotches by the top of the wings and beak. I like the pose and mood created by the lighting.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very cool effect, the lighting really is dramatic. I'm wondering if beak/wing separation would have made it even stronger but definitely like it as is. Maybe a bit NR on the BG?

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Very striking image for all the above mentioned reasons. The backlighting is really wonderful in this capture !!!

[Stu Bowie]

I like the backlighting through the wings, together with the banking angle. Another vote for some NR on the BG.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Wonderful dramatic perspective and I really love the back-lighting :)

[Juan Aragonés]

Krijn this one is really killer, love every pixel on it. The backlight, rim light, action, composition and Bg are outstandimd. Would love to have my signature on the lower corner of this one :p Superb job