I was on a cruise ship on the Pacific coast of South America this February, heading north to Panama having rounded the Cape late January. When mored at Coquimbo, northern Chile, we saw many Inca Terns fishing from the guide ropes. After taking a few static shots of them on the ropes, I tried to capture them in flight - not easy!
This was one I liked despite only just getting it in the corner. We hoped to see them later off Peru but didn’t. Settings using Olympus gear and a 150-400 f4.5 lens with a 1.4 converter: 1/2000 f6.3 ISO 2,000 after 1/3 stop negative compensation. I had zoomed to 498, (so just less than 1,000mm) hand held, but using the rail for support. PP in Lightroom locally on the bird plus Topaz A1 Sharpening at the end (which would have helped any noise issues in the shadows). I chose this image as I was this week at a Bird ‘zoo’ locally to where I live in southern England, where there were some Inca terns flying free under a large net area. I captured the extra image found here. I recall a discussion with a bird enthusiast on February that the birds off Chile were lighter grey than what he had seen before and these English ones were darker, with their colour more orange than red. Different lighting conditions of course. They are lovely birds.
7 comments posted
Adrian Binney
For interest, I add the image taken last week of an Inca Tern within the netted area mentioned above. Posted: 09/02/2023 02:19:11
Steve Cole
Nice capture of bird in flight. I assume you were in a "burst" mode and only if the bird would have turn it's head bit to the right (his/her left) so it does not blend (a bit more separation) into the body as much would have been nice but then you might would have lost the color under the head. Who knows ... but great job with your bird in flight technique. Posted: 09/03/2023 08:42:39
Adrian Binney
Thanks Steve - yes I was on burst mode - this was the only clean image from the set! Happy with it though. Thanks for your comments. Posted: 09/04/2023 09:12:03
Bruce Benson
Adrian, I have not seen an Inca Tern before, it looks like and interesting bird. As Steve mentioned, the position of the head makes it difficult to separate the head from the body but not much you can do about that. I would like to see just a little more space on the edges as well. I like the square crop especially with the bird tilting diagonally.
Posted: 09/05/2023 17:16:59
Cindy Marple
Inca Terns are, IMO, one of the prettiest tern species anywhere. You're lucky to have the opportunity for nice shots of them. At least that bright red bill stands out against the body, which for me makes the head position ok. I do like all the scattered feathers, must've been breezy.
Looks like it was a tad overexposed- the whites have lost some detail. I might tone it down even a bit more from what you've done.
Getting the bird out of the corner or edge of the frame is the bane of bird in flight! Your crop is appropriate for the pose and that tight left edge. You could extend the canvas and give it a bit more all around space if you chose to.
Posted: 09/08/2023 17:59:52
Jerry Biddlecom
As stated by Bruce and Cindy, you could extend the frame to give the bird more space to continue in its flight. Zooming (or cropping) in does have its applications, such as a static shot where the subject is sitting on a branch, but maybe not so much in action shots. Excellent background treatment suggests water but does not distract from the bird. Posted: 09/11/2023 06:50:06
Tom Buckard
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Adrian, you definitely caught this Tern in the peak of action. Love it! It has no distracting element within the frame and certainly shows action. Like Jerry, Bruce and Cindy, I felt it needed a little space to the left. Beautiful! Posted: 09/16/2023 07:57:59
