Royal Tern Relaxing on South Beach

© Michael S. Lazarus

Royal Tern Relaxing on South Beach

Uploaded: February 11, 2008

Description

f/5.6, 1/640, 70-300mmVR@230mm, DSC_6247.JPG, Miami, 8:08A.M., ISO 400

I captured this Royal Tern on an overcast Sunday morning on Miami's South Beach. It is seen here in it's non-breeding plumage. This bird was part of a larger group of maybe 50. They are use to people and had a comfort zone of maybe 10 feet. I noticed little identity rings around the ankles on a few of them. The camera was hand-held and this image has not been cropped. I sharpened it along with some other minor adjustments with iPhoto. I also like to shoot with the camera in the vivid mode at this time of day, especially if I expect to see some wild coloring as I did here in the birds beak and water color. Hey............. it's the tropics Mon. Enjoy!

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/640 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 230.00 mm, Model: NIKON D40

Comments

Ellen Hodges February 12, 2008

Fantastic capture, Mike. Great job and details!! #853045

Eivor Kuchta February 12, 2008

Wow, you didn't even have to use full zoom! It's really interesting to read all your information about your pictures, how you took them, and a little story around. The colorful beak really pops out against the wonderful blue color in the background. #5483212

Aimee C. Eisaman February 12, 2008

I love the color in this one! You always have such wonderful background to your subjects! Great capture too....you must have been soooo close to get this! I do not think I have ever seen this kind of bird....thank you for sharing! #5483705

Michael S. Lazarus February 12, 2008

Thank you Ellen, Eivor, and Aimee for your wonderful comments. Yes Eivor, these birds were so relaxed around people it was amazing. At one point a massive tractor raking the seaweed came by within a short distance from us and they just stayed right there resting. They looked as though they had been flying all night; rather tired and raggedy in general.

Aimee, There are so many kinds of birds out there it really is amazing. All the photographers run to Lincoln road and I've got the prettiest models all to myself :-) #5483773

Stefania Barbier level-classic February 12, 2008

BEAUTIFUL capture with great details and colors Michael! #5484559

Robert G. Stalnaker February 12, 2008

There is much to love about this photo. This is so well done. By the way, how low did you hold the camera. You didn't get sand in the tripod mount, did you? :)

Just excellent! #5487348

Michael S. Lazarus February 13, 2008

Thank you Robert for the wonderful praise. The camera was hand-held. I was just sitting in the sand down low. The birds were not bothered by me. I do like to move closer very gradually until I see one start to move back a little. Then I stop, shoot and repeat the process until it's obvious I've encroached beyond their comfort zone. The VR technology works terrific so I only carry a tripod for long exposures (mostly at night). The sand is challenging to work in as I have to constantly wipe my hands. #5488164

isabel C. Zepeda level-classic February 13, 2008

Michael I made this photo one of my favorite.
I love the color in this picture and I love the way the water looks in the back,is a grate picture,keep up the good wk.
Ysa #5489434

Michael S. Lazarus February 14, 2008

Isabel, That is probably the best compliment I could hope to receive as by placing it among your favorites lets me know you want to experience whatever it is that this image does for you again. It's like the gift you give somebody and then when you see them actually use it and enjoy it, a gift comes back to you. #5493315

Robert G. Stalnaker February 14, 2008

I echo Isabel's comments. We all sense and interpret different things in a photo or any work of art. At first, one could say the tern is centered, but I see the stark orange bill (not the tern's body) as highlighted following the "rule of thirds" in the upper left, as the color orange/red contrasts so nicely with the other colors. I like just the exact amount of foreground blur of sand you have, and the contrast of simple sand versus attractive blue blur of the ocean. Then, it is just darn good exposure and clarity on a cloudy day, ground level perspective, et al. #5494521

Lisa J. Boulden level-classic February 14, 2008

Michael, I love the color in this image!
Lovely job!
--lisa #5496647

Michael S. Lazarus February 16, 2008

Robert, I really appreciate the detailed run down on how you interpret this image and for the praise. Through your perspective, I learn much about my own image, why I took the photo the way I did. It adds to my understanding in a deeper way than mere praise. Intuition is enough for the photographer (or any artist for that matter) to create and image. But it is when the work's light is run through the prism of post analysis (particularly by others) that the real understanding occurs. #5501874

Michael S. Lazarus February 16, 2008

Thank you Lisa for your wonderful comments. #5501882

Michael S. Lazarus February 22, 2008

I would like to give an EXTRA thank you to everyone who has commented to this point as this photo has just received an EP and I know these comments played a role in that. #5530351

isabel C. Zepeda level-classic February 22, 2008

I`m happy for you,i toll you it was a grate photo,your next one is the one on the water,that one is a winer.
Ysa #5531193

Michael S. Lazarus February 22, 2008

Isabel, Your comments are so wonderful. How did I get so lucky to have such a fan? #5535993

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