Black Tern

Gallery: AvianPosted February 19, 2012104 views10 comments

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) photographed on the shores of a local lake. They were buzzing all around me protesting loudly.

This is another one from the archives and reprocessed (LR3). I'm trying to learn more about LR3 and PS5.

I like this one because of the wing position (and because there are no amputated body parts). I took many close distance BIF shots - small rate of keepers. This is a full capture minus a small sliver at the bottom for composition and to remove extraneous vegetation. The light was sweet, though not very strong. Therefore the f/8 resulting in a motion blur in the wing tips. Maybe I kid myself, but I think the slight blur may actually add to the image.

Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 500 mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250 sec at f/8, handheld, no flash, PP in LR3.

All C and Cs are most welcome and appreciated. Thanks for viewing. Roger.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 20, 2012 at 12:10 AM

A lovely bird and image as presented. I rarely get to see this species in breeding plumage like this. The exposure here is excellent, and I love the soft colors of the natural background.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on February 20, 2012 at 10:08 AM

Nice job w/ the exposure on this and I like the wing position you captured here. The subdued lighting here also works well.

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 20, 2012 at 10:21 AM

Interesting to see the color transition from black to white. Nice job in getting this flight shot. I like that you can see the catch light in the eye for that dark portion and the background really adds to the image, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on February 20, 2012 at 8:15 PM

An unusual background for this species, it looks nice. The eye shows up well, not easy to do with Black Terns. Well done!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 20, 2012 at 8:35 PM

Nice flight shot and background. Expsure is spot-on.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 20, 2012 at 9:38 PM

the thumbnail definitely doesn't do this one justice, Roger. a good looking shot--nice wing position, good setting and comp, and the eye shows very well in the larger version. overall image quality looks good for ISO 1250 on the 7D.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 20, 2012 at 11:23 PM

A solid flight shot of a tough species, well done Roger

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on February 20, 2012 at 11:57 PM

Very well done Roger. I had a go at these last summer and despite just about filling a 4gb card I never came close to something this good. I love the BG as it really makes the bird stand out nicely.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 21, 2012 at 4:51 PM

These little speedsters are tough to get in flight. You did well Roger. Sweet Catch

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 21, 2012 at 11:07 PM

Thank you all for viewing and for your comments. It's very much appreciated.

The BG is made of up dried-up reeds. There were many nesting Black Terns in this area. The eye has a local +1 EV applied in LR3. It did show up before but not nearly as well. Note that I also tried to get head-on shots but no luck last year. I will try again this year.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments