Experiencing Some Chick Withdrawal

[Marina Scarr]

It's been so long since I have photographed a chick, it feels as though I am going through a bout of withdrawal.

This is a Least Tern hatchling captured hours after birth. There were three hatchlings from this particular nest which (much to my joy) hatched within a few feet of the ropes. I like the way he/she is resting on the shells and so well camouflaged. It was amazing how all three hatchlings had varied coloration.

Just seeing these chicks brings such joy!

[Randy Stout]

Marina:

Touching image, really captures your imagination, trying to figure out exactly what is going on .
Would be nice to know the camera/lens settings you used here.

A bit more DOF would be nice.

Good shooting angle makes it much more intimate.

Cheers

Randy

[Marina Scarr]

I am unable to edit my post. It's been so long since I posted a picture, I forgot about techs. Sorry about that.

F8, 1/500sec, ISO 400

[Arthur Morris]

I like the framing and the shells as bed. I am confused as to what it going on below the chick's right eye. The neck (???) there seems to be unfeathered while there are feathers (or at least down :) on the other side. Any clues?

[James Salywoda]

Totally beautiful Marina and not a bit of stress as this little cute one rests this is such an excellent composition and well visioned and captured from your point of view I love it. Fantastic!!!!

[Robert Amoruso]

Agree with the above and see what Artie means. Seems OOF so not sure.

Hi Marina!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Too cute and looking very vulnerable. The framing by the shells adds to the sweetness. I'd see if you could bring out a bit more detail on top of the near shell. Thanks for sharing this little cutie!!

[arash_hazeghi]

cute chick! nicely done

[Stu Bowie]

Super low perspective Marina, and the chick is nicely framed and settled between the shells. A little more DOF would have worked.

[Chris Kotze]

Love the cuteness factor and angle captured. Ditto more DOF on the Head. The OOF BG and FG works well

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Marina a very endearing image and neat composition with the shells. Nicely conceived.

[Nico Steenberg]

All have been said. Congrats on a awesome shot

[Marina Scarr]

I like the framing and the shells as bed. I am confused as to what it going on below the chick's right eye. The neck (???) there seems to be unfeathered while there are feathers (or at least down :) on the other side. Any clues?

Artie: I looked at the RAW image. It just looks like OOF down feathers to me. The chick had just been born within hours so who knows why there is an oddity there. "Nature" is the only explanation that I have.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Marina but what is a fowon feather???

[Marina Scarr]

Thanks Marina but what is a fowon feather???

Whoops....."down" feather

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks. I was thinking that a fowon feather was some part of nature that I did not know about....