Forster's Tern Catch

[ChasMcRae]

Forster's Tern exploding out of water after grabbing a minnow.
Cropped modified panorama look to emphasize the dive point and water droplets.
Coastal South Carolina.

Chas.McRae

urveTail_FosGull_Feb2011_00083.jpg
File size: 199KB
Image Serial Number: 000-0083
Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Camera serial number: 470511630
Firmware: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows
Date/Time: 2011:02:24 112:08
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: EF600mm f/4L IS USM
Focal length: 600mm
Subject distance: 31 m
Image size: 800 x 368
Rotation: none
Color space: sRGB
Color profile: sRGB IEC61966-

[Dave Leroy]

I like the timing of the action with bird parallel to water with wings forward.

Pano crop adds to action.

Focus looks spot on where it needs to be.

I just wish bird was a bit bigger in frame. Tighter crop??

Dave

[Daniel Cadieux]

This is a tough one to pull off. I like your timing, and I like your choice of going the panoramic route for the comp. A mighty big splash for such a relatively small bird!! I do wish for better wing positions (full lower or higher upstrokes) and I detect some hot or blown patches of white on the tern...a tough exposure for sure.

[ChasMcRae]

Incoming tide when all the action occurred in late morning making tough on whites with bright sunshine. I backed off on exposure till I saw no flashing highlights but still small areas near neck and tail blew out and I didn't notice.
Although not ideal light just could not pass up the action.
Thanks for comments.