Would you like an eel?

[Grace Scalzo]

Sure hope you like least terns because I have alot of them. The ones who were going to pair up seem to be on eggs while the rest of them are just loafing and feeding. Needless to say, I was flat in the sand. This fellow landed right in front of me (full frame image) and acted for a moment like he was going to present the sand eel to me. Did a bit of beach cleanup, levels, sharpened.

1/800, f8, iso800
Canon 1Dmk4, 500 f4 + 1.4tc + lowered tripod

[Grace Scalzo]

PS, if a mod could fix my title, sure would appreciate it. Should say "eel".

[Melissa Groo]

Well I'm a nut about terns and particularly the way you capture them; don't think I could ever tire of these. Just love the light here, the pose, and the awesome view of the eel. Really like how he's sharp from stem to stern, and I am enamoured with the shell in front, think it really adds something. I also really like the tufts of hair on the legs. Beautiful!!!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful! I love the arched fish, the inclusion of the shell, and the sweet light. Well done Grace!!

Title fixed

[Arthur Morris]

Sweet light, great pose by bird and fish. What caused the sharp depression? Love the shell. Where?

[gail bisson]

I like the light in this image and the angle of the body.
The shell is icing on the cake!
Lovely,
Gail

[Rachel Hollander]

Grace - another beauty and the arc of the eel, as well as sharpness throughout really adds to the image. No way we'll tire of these.

TFS,
Rachel

[Joe Senzatimore]

Now thats some fine light on a fine image.

[Bill Dix]

Sweet. This checks all the boxes. A real beauty, eel and shell included.

[Lorant Voros]

Sweet light, nice eye contact, low angle and pose. The fish is just over the top. Well done.

[christopher galeski]

Beautiful image,great light,nice low angle,good detail in the bird.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like this a lot. sharp details with excellent light and the fish is a bonus

[Ofer Levy]

Excellent!!!

[Randy Stout]

Grace:

Lovely scene well captured, great angle,light.

Congrats

Cheers

Randy

[Herb Houghton]

Beautiful image Grace, I like the detail and the BGD is beautiful. I'm also liking the sand eel with eye in focus.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. Artie, no sharp depression, just little groves in the sand flat formed by the outgoing tide. This was created at West Meadow Beach, Brookhaven town, Long Island, N. Shore. It's town residents only, but for any of my BPN friends, I'd be glad to get you in. It's a very tide dependent location, as low tide forms a wonderful sandbar where all the waders congregate to fish, terns loaf there, plovers nest and feed, and shorebirds are frequent visitors spring and late summer. It's my home-away-from home.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Grace, I feel this tops your previous Tern images, and just love the light and DOF effect. You have nailed the exposure, and the curled eel puts this over the top.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thank you Stuart. This is my fav tern image so far, as well. Once in a while, everything comes together as I envision. Alot of times, it doesn't.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for the info and the invite. Enjoy the beach-nesting birdies.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Beautiful one Grace... loved the setting and the curved fish adds well..

[Robert Holguin]

Just a beautiful image. Love the light, excellent pose, great eye contact on the eel, and superb low angle.
Well done.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Absolutely nailed it, Grace. Light, exposure, low angle and fish. Doesn't get any better.