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Sandwich Tern
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Sandwich Tern

by SandyRichardsBrown

Gallery: AvianPosted March 19, 2014290 views8 comments
A new tern for me, and I don't recall one being posted on NPN.
These terns are quite small, and hang out with their cousins, the larger Royal Tern. In this case, this one was the only sandwich tern among 75 Royals and a handful of Skimmers.
Love the yellow beak-tip, crest, and black feet!

2014:03:06 06:35:08, Southwest Florida coast
D800
500mm
1/2500 sec, f/5
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
Exp comp: +2/3
ISO: 640
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 19, 2014 at 10:50 PM
The low angle is very nice. I like the backward turn of the head for the preening activity. Sorry to see you are still running into that overcast lighting, but you are handling it well. I'm picking up what looks to be a thin halo along the front edge of the legs and possibly the upper edge of the bill. It might be worth a second look to see if you can see it. Keep checking these groups out. Occasionally you will find a Forster's Tern stuck in among them as well. Good job.
Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 19, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Rick, Forster's are very common here in CA. Didn't see any in Florida, though.
Also, overcast lighting is ideal for many shots, and many if not most of us thrive on overcast days - no shadows, no rapidly-changing exposures, and the ability to shoot all day as opposed to only mornings and evenings.
Don't see the halo from here.

Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 19, 2014 at 11:53 PM
Nice composition and overall monochrome look.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on March 20, 2014 at 12:27 AM
really cool looking bird...I liked your other shore bird...But, I like this one even better :toast: As you can see from my latest post in Avian, I love fluffy birds. The definition of the feathers is really nice in this slightly windblown subject :wavey:
Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 20, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Excellent, Sandy. Another one with a great low angle. That yellow beak tip is really cool.

:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 20, 2014 at 5:31 PM
Great angle and pose. The lack of colors accentuate the yellow tip on the bill. Works well for me ! Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 20, 2014 at 5:39 PM
Great preening pose, love the texture and detail on the plumage you captured here Sandy. I too believe the over-cast light is your friend in such situations.

Another Beauty :cool:
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by David Haynes on March 23, 2014 at 3:30 PM
Nice image Sandy. What a strange name for a bird. I too love the black feet and particularly the yellow tipped beak. The POV is giving me a back ache. Good for you getting low for this shot. It really takes all the shells and pebbles out of the frame of focus. Great fo you to see this bird mixed in with everything else. Nice capture and no, I have never seen this posted anywhere. :toast: :toast:
Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments