LesImgrund
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Awards
Camera Bundle And More
Contest Finalist in We Love Animals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Beauty Of Birds Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Evocative Wildlife Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Animal Kingdom Photo Contest Vol 1
Runner Up in Open Wings Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Open Wings Photo Contest
Exposure and more
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 25
Contest Finalist in Inspiring Shots Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Two Wings Photo Contest
Featured
Editor's Choice
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Genius
Love it
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Categories
akhtarkhan
December 04, 2014
Wonderful lighting, and detail......brilliant capture. Congrats on the feature.
NoveenKhan
December 04, 2014
Perfect composition and timimg-what a stunning image! Congratulations on being Featured :)
LesImgrund
January 16, 2015
Thank you! 8-)) So unexpected. Never even on my radar for things like that. Blew my mind to be Featured. Thanks again! 8-))
LesImgrund
January 16, 2015
Thanks so much! 8-)) It's all so unexpected. I just love shooting. Something awesome about being out there! Thanks again! 8-))
anthonytemer
December 04, 2014
Beautiful picture bird pictures don't do much for me but this one is amazing
LesImgrund
January 16, 2015
I take that as a huge compliment, Anthony. I understand what you mean. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know! Thanks so much! 8-))
p_eileenbaltz
December 04, 2014
Breathtaking!!! Congratulations on your well-deserved award and feature.:)
ann11
December 04, 2014
This is outstanding! The moment, the lighting, the detail, the composition... Everything pulls together to make this a memorable capture. I'm so grateful that you shared it on VB so that I and others could enjoy the moment as well. Kudos!
LesImgrund
January 16, 2015
Thank you so much, Ann. It is still so unexpected to see the comments and so on. Never my intention. Just to share so people can see what I get to see as well! Thanks again! 8-))
jonnywilliams
December 04, 2014
brilliant capture, Awesome lighting, Focus, sharpness everything awesome Congrats :)
LesImgrund
January 16, 2015
It never ceases to amaze me what nature is capable of. Thank you so much! 8-)) I appreciate your comment!
Hoov
December 29, 2014
Congrats on your featured photo!! It is realy a great capture. Perfect timing.
LesImgrund
January 16, 2015
Thank you! There are another couple in the series that show them even better in some ways. They were awesome that day! Thanks again! 8-))
claudia_lothering_1704
January 16, 2015
Great timing. Stunning composition and suburb precision and clarity. Congratulations!
LucyLoo
March 01, 2015
What an absolutely stunning moment and Photo. Beautiful details and light, gorgeous colours too :-D
NotableNuances
March 06, 2015
Congratulations on the awards for this amazing capture, Les. Well deserved recognition but I've been an admirer of your work since the first time I saw it! BTW... Please say HI to Star. She left me for you and the Arcanum. I know she's busy and learning a lot from one of the best!
TwoGreenEyes
June 12, 2015
Deeeeepest sigh. What a wonderful shot. Great moment for you after observing them for so long. The light is just God's reward!
florinabelu-alexandru
December 09, 2015
Perfect time,perfect moment,perfect photo!Please tell me the camera and lens you made this photo with and the settings of the camera.Thanks.
LesImgrund
December 10, 2015
Hello! No problem! I use a Canon 7D with a Canon 500mm f/4 + 1.4X Teleconverter. f/5.6, 1/1500, ISO200 with -0.5EV Compensation. Thanks so much!
insanecatlady
April 11, 2016
Such an amazing once in a lifetime capture caught so clearly to. Such an intermate moment probably never before seen let alone captured with two quite rare birds
mcphoto2bug
June 16, 2016
Fabulous - nothing like being at the right place at the right time. Well done.
DarwinsBloodhound
December 14, 2016
This is one of the best bird Fotos I have ever seen! What a thrill it must have been to capture this moment so perfectly... a major prize in its self!
kellumbear
April 23, 2017
Elke said it perfectly, the fundamentals of this capture is superb! Congrats on your win!
mihrt
June 25, 2017
Wow, CONGRATS on your well deserved AWARDS for this shot !! Fabulous interaction between these Terns !!! Excellent detail, expoxure and presentation!
VLJ_PHOTOGRAPHY
February 07, 2020
Spectacular capture and perfect timing. Congratulations on all your awards
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken on a small area of the Peel Inlet, Mandurah, Western Australia. It is a small spit of land that is open to the wind and the tides. Often very difficult for the birds to fledge their young.Time
This was taken around 6:20am. I had been out for about one and half hours watching them and few other species. The sun was rising and the light was changing very quickly - a small bank of clouds was causing some changes in the light. This pair had been courting for a short time which they do for a short period of time then get on with cleaning and feeding.Lighting
The light was beautiful when I arrived but it was changing fairnly quickly during the time I was there. I knew the Terns would be in this space as I had been there for a few days previously. I was watching them, but the light was fairly poor. But when the male started to court the female, the coluds shifted enough to let the Sun through. Was almost perfect.Equipment
Image was taken with a Canon 7D with a Canon 500mm f/4L + Canon 1.4x Teleconverter. Handheld.Inspiration
I had been watching the Terns for a few days. It was during the breeding season and the return of the migrating shorebirds. I had seen them courting a few times but they had been quite a distance away. I managed to get close enough while lying down, to wait quietly to see what they would do. The light and the Terns cooperated enough to time everything right for the image. It was a special image because it was last time the Terns were able to hatch their young before an unusually high tide swept their nesting site away. An image to remember what they once did in this location.Editing
This image was Curves, Noise reduction and a crop. Everything else was in camera. I don't usually like to do very much with wildlife images.In my camera bag
Today, a Canon 1Dx with the 7D as a back-up. The Canon 500mm f4/L with 1.4x Tele are usually on the 1Dx. The 7D will have either the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L II or Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, depending on what I am looking for. If it is landscape images, then the 24-70 wins. Otherwise, the 70-200 is on the 7D. Apart from those, spare batteries, CF cards, plenty of lens cleaning supplies and cloths to dry the lens, camera. A few tools to do quick repairs on the camera or tripod. Depending on what else I may be doing, a Canon 580EX or 600EX-RT Flash will be in their with a Better Beamer and flash bracket. An Induro tripod and gimbal will usually finish off the gear.Feedback
Knowing the species and their behaviour helps significantly to see and make images like this. The more you know, the more likely you will be in the right place at the right time to see it. Having gear that you know, regardless of the brand or model, makes it easier to see and frame images like this. If you are fumbling for settings, then the opportunities like this, tend to go by without you making an image. Practicing with your gear and making images regularly allows you to practice with scenes/subjects that are slower moving or more common. Once you have the skills fairly smooth, then when you see an opportunity like this, it allows you to focus on the scene without concerning yourself with the settings, framing, light etc. It becomes more "second nature". The more you practice, with some mentoring from someone who knows what you are trying to achieve, helps to increase the results.