I think this is a unique perspective. From this angle, it looks like the Royal Tern is presenting a gift to the King (the operative word here is "Royal")

Let's make this an exercise. Please try to think of an emotional message (if any) invoked by this image. On the other hand, if you can think of any negative things to say about the image AND ways to help it, I'm all ears. Thank you for playing.

Sincerely,
Andy

thunderbird wrote:
I think this is a unique perspective.
I have to agree. At least I've never seen a shot like it. What a great display of the tail!
My emotional response is awe!

Wow Andy!! This is the best capture of a tern I've seen so far. You out done yourself once again!

-Quang

nice image.....in fact a great capture

Straight from the camera, no PP?

Awesome capture!!!

you are very good at capturing dramatic moments like this. nice exposure on the whites. keep these shots coming.

- hung

Terrific shot, great angle, shows alot of energy in the bird, capturing the fish's eye rounds out this perfect shot!

Truly a superb capture. I love the frozen action of the image with the sharpness of the wings captured in motion and the water droplets still flying in mid-air from his/her snatch from the sea. Such a unique perspective as well. Awesome is the word for sure. ~ John

WOW!! that is the first thing I thought when I saw your image . It is a really special shot for sure.

I love everything about it. I especially like the way his wings are curled at the edge

Excellent work Andy !!!

P.L

Beautiful image. Ron

The Angel Messenger

So were you sitting on the life guards chair for this shot or climbed the mast of a Hobie Cat That is a dramatic perspective and almost seems to be taken with a wider angled lens?? See I have questions Andy

Very neat buddy!
Karl

Hi Andy,
"Holy Moly" and amazing capture are my emotional expression.
Dan

Photon wrote:
thunderbird wrote:
I think this is a unique perspective.
I have to agree. At least I've never seen a shot like it. What a great display of the tail!
My emotional response is awe!

Photon,
Thank you for making an absolutely wonderful comment. What I was really looking for is if you've seen anything like it before and I got my answer!

Andy

ShutteredMe wrote:
Wow Andy!! This is the best capture of a tern I've seen so far. You out done yourself once again!

-Quang

Quang, I hate to take that slogan from Cingular but improving ourselves is part of becoming who we want to be. Thank you so much. Considering the vast number of talents out there, this is an honor.

Actually, this was taken on the day that I thought I saw you (not sure if it was you) sitting on the gravel and shooting skimmers.

Andy

Dave In La wrote:
nice image.....in fact a great capture

Straight from the camera, no PP?

Dave,
Thank you for the comment. No, it was not straight from camera, because the light didn't suck.
I did some cropping, leveling, and very little sharpening, nothing extensive in the PP department. Oh, and no, there was no exposure correction if that's what you meant.

Andy

Double WOW!!

Dick on Aruba wrote:
Awesome capture!!!

Thank you. I didn't notice the shot at first. All I wanted was to get the fish in the clear. Little did I know that the tern was striking an interesting pose.

Andy

Hungtran10 wrote:
you are very good at capturing dramatic moments like this. nice exposure on the whites. keep these shots coming.

- hung

Hey Hung, long time no see!

Thanks bro. With my background of taking pictures of fast-moving jets, somehow I look for the sort of exploding action in bird photography as well. I'm still learning and practicing.

Andy

wing tong wrote:
Terrific shot, great angle, shows alot of energy in the bird, capturing the fish's eye rounds out this perfect shot!

Hi Wing,
Thank you for noticing. The action was fast and intense, I'm just happy that one frame of the series turned out OK.

Andy

Awesome shot Andy. One of the best ever of Terns with fish
Gene

JohnJos wrote:
Truly a superb capture. I love the frozen action of the image with the sharpness of the wings captured in motion and the water droplets still flying in mid-air from his/her snatch from the sea. Such a unique perspective as well. Awesome is the word for sure. ~ John

John,
Thanks so much for the kind words. Your detailed breakdown of the image is much appreciated.
Andy

noelle wrote:
WOW!! that is the first thing I thought when I saw your image . It is a really special shot for sure.

I love everything about it. I especially like the way his wings are curled at the edge

Thank you very much Noelle for the "wow" comment. Glad you did enjoy it.

Andy

Lothen wrote:
Excellent work Andy !!!

P.L

Thank you P.L.

Andy

Beautiful shot, the perspective, composition and timing all sync beautifully to bring it all together.