Skimmer skimming

[Bill Dix]

I don't get to see Black Skimmers that often, so I was pleasantly surprised when a pair suddenly came by me at Brigantine the other day. No match for some of the beautiful images of them recently here and in Avian, but my best attempt yet at getting one skimming, so thought I'd post it for critique, including the crop. I was afraid the IQ might not hold up well to a larger crop so I've left the reflection and water trail. C&C appreciated.

D90 | 80-400 VR @ 370mm | ISO 800 | 1/4000s @ f/7.1 | -0.7 EV | HH

[Bob Decker]

I don't see them much either, Bill. And on the rare occassions that I do I'm almost surprised at how fast they are. Good catch. I'd be happy with it.

[VinceRossi]

Wow! Bill. What a great action shot. People that don't get a chance to go to Brigantine have no idea of how hard it is to shoot at that location. There are quite a few negatives to the place but it is one of very few that you can even think about getting a shot like this . Way to go.

How were the green flies?

Correct me if I am wrong. I think I met you about a month or so ago. If it was you you were covered from head to toe with clothing. My wife and I rolled down the windows to sat hello and you said to close the windows before the flies attacked us. Like I said I don't know if it was you or not. I have given up on the place,becasuse I was so brutelly attacked that day by all the bugs, but since seeing this shot I am tempted to go back.

[Don Railton]

Hi Bill

I really like this...Sharp, catchlight in the eye, wings where I like them, and a reflection to boot.. Well done. We don't think we have skimmers here in Oz. Well I have not seen any anyway...

DON

[Bill Dix]

Wow! Bill. What a great action shot. People that don't get a chance to go to Brigantine have no idea of how hard it is to shoot at that location. There are quite a few negatives to the place but it is one of very few that you can even think about getting a shot like this . Way to go.

How were the green flies?

Correct me if I am wrong. I think I met you about a month or so ago. If it was you you were covered from head to toe with clothing. My wife and I rolled down the windows to sat hello and you said to close the windows before the flies attacked us. Like I said I don't know if it was you or not. I have given up on the place,becasuse I was so brutelly attacked that day by all the bugs, but since seeing this shot I am tempted to go back.

Hi Vince. I don't think that was me, although being covered head to toe would not have been a bad idea. I was in shorts and tee shirt, and the greenheads were pestiferous but not as bad as I have sometimes seen them. Only once, just as I was about to shoot a landing osprey, did I get bitten badly enough to cause me to miss my shot. Ben's DEET didn't seem to help. Appreciate the comments.

[Don Railton]

Hi Bill

That Deet works best if you hit them with the bottle...:D

DON

[pat lillich]

beautiful --- the water is gorgeous with the trail leading to him, and the light/detail on the wings is wonderful

[Lance Peters]

Lota to like here Bill - Catchlight in the eye really sets it off.
SS has frozen the action nicely - Techs look good.

Don - No Skimmers In Australia!! Though AL said he would send me one over to practice on ;)

[Bill Dix]

Thank you Lance, Pat, Don and Bob for the comments. I decided to try for a slightly tighter crop. Shows the bird better, but less of the water trail. Also brightened the water a bit. Does anyone think this is an improvement?

[Arthur Morris]

IQ held up to the crop--note that the eye is still sharp--but I prefer the original post with the long wake. You did quite well here. I love the reflection. Is the highlight natural or added? Either way, it could stand to be reduced a tad.

[Bill Dix]

IQ held up to the crop--note that the eye is still sharp--but I prefer the original post with the long wake. You did quite well here. I love the reflection. Is the highlight natural or added? Either way, it could stand to be reduced a tad.

Thank you Artie. The catchlight is natural. I didn't enlarge it, as I have been known to do, but I did brighten the eye, and it popped out after sharpening. Thanks for looking.

[Arthur Morris]

You are most welcome. If I were gonna print it I would lot at reducing the catchlight.