One of these shots immediately became one of my favorite bird photos and we can’t even see the bird’s head.
Readers already know that three days ago at Bear River MBR I spent much of my time attempting to photograph Forster’s Terns in flight and diving on prey. The “in flight” part was difficult enough but catching one in a dive was over the top hard. And it was just as hard to catch them coming out of the water after a dive. It all happens too fast.
I presumed that if I got lucky and got one hitting the water (or just about to), I’d like it better than any photos I might get of one coming out of the water. I was wrong.
I’m only including the first three photos in the following series as a prelude to the fourth photo, the one I like so much.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Like in my last tern post, this bird was flying away from me as ‘he’ was fishing so I was following him with my lens but not taking photos. But when I saw him twirl in the air as a prelude to diving I began to fire off a burst and hoped that I could keep him in frame and in focus as he was diving toward the water.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I succeeded, at first.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But as usual, his dive was faster than I could follow him with my lens so in this third shot he’s already at the bottom of the frame with several flight feathers clipped. The next five photos in the burst (which took significantly less than half a second to take), when the bird hit the water, while he was in the water and initially coming out of the water, were either “air shots” with no bird in the frame or the bird was cut off or soft. Or both.
But I got one shot, toward the end of him leaving the water, that immediately became a favorite of mine. Even though almost all if his head is hidden.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is it.
I’ve spent more time looking at, studying and appreciating this photo than I have any other photo of mine in a very long time. I hope at least some of the reasons are obvious but they include his flight posture so close to and parallel to the water, his reddish-orange feet that have just kicked up a water splash and the bent forks of his tail that meet their own reflections. And most of that is doubled in his overall reflection, which I adore.
As always with photographs and any kind of art, what appeals strongly to some viewers may do very little or nothing for others. So even though this photo really floats my boat, it may send yours to Davy Jones’ Locker (after all, there’s that missing head).
That’s just the way of things and I’m fine with it. I like what I like and so does everyone else.
Ron
I so enjoyed these photos! Absolutely gorgeous!
Here is my late to the game 2 cents worth. Still going back and enjoying yesterday’s sweet, sweet stilts. As for today’s pictures: my, that last picture is amazing. But Ron, and here is a 3rd cent worth, I don’t think that you do justice to picture number 2. So beautiful with those soft greens doing different things at the top and bottom of the picture, the tail feathers! and the orange feet and bill.
Thanks, Frances. You’re probably right about photo #2.
It floats my boat as well……
Lots of floaters around here. Thanks, Gary.
I was gone all morning and didn’t have an opportunity to see this until this afternoon. Too bad – it would have been a great way to start the day. I can do no better than reiterate everyone’s comments. The final photo deserves a prominent place where it can always be seen. It’s quite an amazing photo.
“The final photo deserves a prominent place where it can always be seen.”
Dan, if my printer wasn’t closed for the holiday weekend I might have been impulsive and already ordered the print. This way I’m forced to take some time to think about it. But at this point I think you can tell which way I’m leaning.
Boat floating so high it isn’t touching the water.
That is an incredible shot.
Wow, that’s pretty high. Thanks, EC.
Judging by the comments, it looks like everyone is gonna like what you like today! Totally amazing!
And I love the introductory 3, too. #1, with those tail curves and the countering little black cap. #2, with the reveal of the bright orange of the bill and feet. #3 looks like an origami “something” in progress, a mish-mash of folds, with just that tail sticking up to suggest the wonder of what’s to come!
Ooo-la-la!
“Ooo-la-la!”
That brings back memories from many years ago, Carolyn. Nearly all of them good… 🙂
Wowzers! Even the splashes are reflected in the water! This shot not only floats my boat, it hoists my sails — definitely needs to be up on a wall!
“definitely needs to be up on a wall”
I’m seriously considering it, Marty. The questions are, how big to print it and where to hang it.
Two for one special, indeed!
🙂
This is very beautiful for all reasons you mentioned. So lucky the water surface was still and not rippled yet by the birds actions. It is a wonderful catch! Wouldn’t it have been outstanding to see the bottom of his beak and possible catch in the reflection. I tried blowing it up to look for a tip of beak. At first I thought it might be there but it is stick on the surface of the water.
Ha, I did exactly the same thing, April. I looked very hard for the tip of his bill in both the bird and the reflection, including looking at the high res version of the image at 100%. No cigar. I imagine his bill was pointing forward instead of down.
Oh my, Ron. This one will keep you grinning all day! Gold medal to the photographer and the Tern!
Yup, still grinning. Thanks, Diane.
Ron, the photos are beautiful and the last one looks so peaceful and graceful. I could look at it all day. Guess it floats my boat.
Good, another floater. Thanks, Trudy.
Floats my boat too.
Beautiful.
Thanks, Bob.
I love it. You armrest right on.
Good. Thanks, Deedee.
The variety and elegance of the angles and curves in the second shot is lovely and of course the final shot is fascinating to study.
Thanks, Catherine.
Looking and looking again. The last time I noticed a kind of double reflection of the right wing edge. Fab.
I see what you mean, Sallie. That’s what it looks like.
Beautiful‼️
Thanks, Laurie.
So glad you purchased the Canon R5. We are all enjoying your work.
I am too, Richard. The R5 doesn’t work particularly well in some situations but in others it’s amazing.
Gorgeous, and so sharp! Love the second shot too.
Thanks, Burrdoo.
I think it is human nature to look for and be pleased by symmetry. You have captured, in a sublime instant, the essence of that attraction.
One dictionary definition of serendipity is the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. But we know this is no accident. Well done, sir.
No matter how you define it, this photo was certainly serendipitous for me. When I first looked at the series I didn’t expect to see anything special and then, there it was. Thanks, Lyle.
That reflection capture is just fabulous– I, too, keep scrolling back to check it out again and again- what a capture !
Thanks, Kris. I’ve been scrolling back to it so often I may wear out my mouse… 🙂
I have come to hate to use the too often overused word “awesome”, but in this case words like remarkable etc just don’t cut it. So awesome it is !!!!!
The odds of having that perfect clear water for a reflection directly below this really special position is probably a thousand to one and you were right there to get it. Awesome indeed.
I’ll take awesome… 🙂 Thanks, Everett.
WOW! GREAT capture of the tern and the “perfect” reflection to cap it off! 🙂 Face being hidden rather irrelevant in this case…….. 😉 Amazing birds!
keeping track of days IS a challenge in retirement! 😉
I’m glad you like it, Judy.
Sometimes I’m more than one day off. And on one birthday (after I retired) I thought I was two years older than I really was. I’m a mess…
A jaw-dropping shot, Ron. Bravo!
Thanks very much, Karen.
Amazing! Love it. Quite a rare series of events that you’ve captured. Patience, probability and persistence.
“Quite a rare series of events that you’ve captured”
The events aren’t particularly rare but me capturing them sure are. Thanks, Brett.
Floating over here, Ron…
Good to know… 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks, Patrick.
Fabulous!
Thank you, Sue.
The first two and the last photo all float my boat. Series like this with their stop-motion action are instructive and exciting. And then there is that detail and that reflection. Great start to a Sunday.
Thanks, Granny Pat. Hey, it is Sunday, isn’t it. I’ve been retired for 20 years (or is it 19?) and I haven’t learned to keep track of the days since I stopped working.
“It” is amazing! All your efforts and the magic came together for this one.
I keep scrolling back up to look at it. Wow.
“I keep scrolling back up to look at it.”
That’s what I keep doing. And when I do I often find something new. Thanks, Michael.
Oh wow! Gorgeous! That is a stunning image. I also like the crisp look of the spread tail in the first photo. Whew. Hat’s off, Ron!
Much appreciated, Kathryn.
Wonderful pics and story Ron. The reflected shot of the Tern is indeed a very special shot (IMHO). Thanks for continuing to share your birding adventures with us.
Thank you, Rick. I’m glad you liked the story too.
Floats my boat too!
Good.