Laughing Gull

[Joel Eade]

Took this at Ft. DeSoto yesterday afternoon. Made a very brief trip there from my daughters place in Tampa, will definitely need to return someday with more time.

1DMKIV
700mm Hand held
Manual mode using rear focus and central AF only
ISO 400
f/5.6
1/3200

[P-A. Fortin]

Awesome lighting and background. Bird is nice and sharp, love the wing position.

I can't believe you nailed this one hand-holding a 500mm + 1.4x. Kerry and Daniel can testify: I am totally unable to photograph anything that flies with my 100-400mm. Just keeping the bird in the viewfinder is a challenge. I can't imagine how hard it has to be with your gear. Good job!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Joel,

Love the simplicity of the photograph and HHing 700mm with the proper panning technique is no small task. Like the image as presented. I am heading there next month Joel to photograph the wild parrots.

[Joel Eade]

Thanks Jeff, I did not see any parrots but my visit was impromptu and brief.

Also it was totally new and unknown to me so I was exploring....I will get to return I am sure since my daughter lives within 30 miles of it.

Hand holding the MKIV and a big lens is tiring and my hit rate is definitely lower than with a tripod and gimbal but I didn't have a way to bring a tripod on this trip so I had to make do.

[Kerry Perkins]

Joel, you made do pretty well. Good work all around but the flight capture with big mag is definitely noteworthy. Good show!

[Cathy McEntee]

Very pretty image Joel! Love the composition and background.