NOTE: According to my EXIF data, the time between these two shots was less than 1 second, yet somehow I missed the shift of the fish in the bill.
Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is from June of last year at a local Bald Eagle hot spot where spawning fish get caught in oyster beds and there’s a causeway across the estuary with enough room to park and get down to the gravel at lower tides. It’s popular with photographers (probably too popular) and I tend to keep away from the crowd. The last few times I’ve been there, I’ve had more fun photographing the gulls and crows (they fish as well) than the eagles and herons. I ran across this sequence and realized I hadn’t processed it, so I took some time to do so this afternoon.
Specific Feedback
I have a take-off image as well. Do you think that the series would work better with that image added or replacing one of the others (I haven’t processed it yet, but these aren’t complicated from that aspect).
Technical Details
All images: Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, monopod, f/9, 1/2000, iso 2000. Noise reduction in DxO PureRaw 4, further processing in LR & PS CC.
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I usually time my visits for early morning tides and stay at a state park a few miles from there so I can be there ahead of the mob. Also the mob seems to move toward the houses and I go the other way.
Really nice series Dennis. Love seeing the gull with his/her catch both around the rocks and in flight. Great you were able to catch both - well done. Techs and composition look good. I think adding a take off shot would be cool and enhance the series.
Awesome series, Dennis. Tells a terrific story. Well done.
Great series, Dennis. The detail is fantastic. I especially like the second one with the gull coming at the viewer and the rocks in the background. For all the hundreds of gulls I’ve seen over the years, I don’t recall ever seeing one with a fish. Is this a Glaucous-winged Gull or what they call up your way, an Olympic Gull. I find Gull ID difficult at times.
@Allen_Brooks To tell the truth, I’ve about given up on gull I.D. Allen. I always seem to get it wrong. I think it’s a Glaucous-winged Gull, but it could be a cross with a Thayer’s Gull (or something else).
P.S. I haven’t looked at all the “P.C. names” or updated my books/lists.
The Olympic Gull is a hybrid of the Western Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull, according to my brother-in-law who is a big time birder and lives on the Olympic Peninsula. I think the only Gull name that was changed was the Mew Gull to Short-tailed Gull. Why? No idea.
Hi Dennis
Nice series of photographs, my only nit is the whites are clipped on #2 &4. Gulls can make for interesting photograph subject.
Peter
I missed this one earlier but glad I found it – quite a nice series and the fish is a great bonus. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with anything but parking lot carrion.
