Loaded black headed gull

[Ben_Sadd]

When I was photographing terns back in April there was also an active black-headed gull colony that was providing some nice entertainment, be it with their screaming interactions or, as here, their collection of nest material.

This was shot at 8:40am so the light was still quite soft. However, while not over exposed I would wish for a little more detail in the front edges of the wings.

7D
500mm f/4 +1.4TC
f/6.3
Manual 1/1250

[Randy Stout]

Ben:

Quite the load he is carrying.

pleasant background

When the whites aren't blown, the amount of detail showing often depends on the light angle. A bit of side lighting really brings out the fine detail.

Cheers

Randy

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice flight pose and the nesting material adds a lot, it looks a tad soft to me, I'd sharpen a bit more

[Ben_Sadd]

Thanks. Reposted here with a touch more sharpening.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree the original looked a bit soft...the repost addresses that nicely. I've never seen a gull carrying so much material, very cool! Good comp. I wouldn't worry about the leading edge of the wings, although just white they look as they should to me.