Gull and the clam

[Indranil Sircar]

I was trying to get some images of Surf Scooters and Goldeneyes gulping down clams.. when this gull (probably a 1st year ring-billed) showed up and picked one out of the shallow water. Unlike goldeneys and scooters, who swallow the whole clam, these gulls fly off with the clam and keep dropping it onto the ground till the clam opens up in shock and the gull gets its prize! In this case the gull lost the clam in the water and could not retrieve it! For processing, applied Topaz simplify on the water and also fract on another layer. Used layer masks and changed opacity to get the effect... hope you like it.

[denise ippolito]

Indranil, Great looking pose with clam. It seems a little tight but the details are nice and I love what you did with the water!

[Paul Lagasi]

A nice composition, agree that its a bit tight. Nice effect on the water and the bird, features on face very sharp....well done

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Indranil, agree on being a tad tight, but a lovely image nonetheless. Beautiful processing too!