This Tern was trying to cough up the line it had swallowed while it flew around the pier we were on. It landed at one point and I was very close to catching it to at least cut the hook off and hopefully get the bird to a rehabber when some idiot saw what I was doing and scared it off on purpose.
I have dozens of 'better' images of this bird with nice eye contact and such, but I think the head bent over, hacking pose is a more powerful message.
D3, 70-200VR with TC 1.4. Fill flash with Better Beamer at -3
Good grief, that's enough to make you feel awful. A powerful image...some sharpening on the fishing line might make it show a little better. Yikes.....thanks for sharing, Jim!
Yes, I remember this bird, it made me sick to see its pain. I must admit, though that it was looking to get another hook, going aggressively after the man fishing there...
Jim
An image that certainly makes an impact......and one that could be used in a poster warning the vices of line/hooks out there. I don't know what's more amazing some time.....people's cruelty....or stupidity.
Hate seeing things like this and just knowing that they happen all too often. Sure would like to see images like this used - prolifically - to help remind people to be caring and careful!
I saw some posters with instructions on what to do if you hook a bird (it is amazing that more don't get hooked the way they go after the bait). There was also a news story on pelican first aid kits.
This is a wonderful and terrible image all at once Jim - one of the most powerfull things I've seen! Thanks for sharing it (despite the fact I'll be be finding it hard to sleep for a while).
A down side to the hand of man
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