Another Puffin in flight

It was said that it was a pity that my last one was flying away from the camera so here's one that's coming towards it

As you can see, the sunlight was very harsh when I took this, the shoulder looks very bright but according to Photoshop's Levels, it's not blown.

Sony A350
Sigma 50-500 EX
1/800th second (yes, I chickened out trying 1/250th for this one)
f9
ISO 400
140mm
+0.3 stop exposure compensation
Centre-weighted metering
Hand held panning
Taken on Skomer Island, West Wales, UK in June

Hello Geoff.

It is a shame about the harsh light but other than that is a nice flight shot. I like the pose of the bird, composition and the setting.

Yes Geoff you are quite correct, I made the comment and the bird was flying away, not ideal in an image, however this is spot on in terms of angle IMHO. The issue is, as you say, the harsh light, which is always tricky, especially with high areas of white. As a result it does tend to flatten out detail. A little tweak in PS on the Puffin and a drop in exposure for the overall BG and it's almost there. There is also some blue areas on the wings and side of the body that needs some attention too.

Saying all that, it is great to see these birds in flight.

TFS
Steve

A shame about the harsh light but the flightpose is great! Also good composition and the pose of the wings!

Slight nits covered on this one Geoffrey, it's always good to capture one of these in flight.

Andy...

As above mate, nits covered, but a great pose, and well composed!
Paul.

Lovely shot but I preferd the first one, had a better "feel" to it