Black Skimmers

Sharon, a great flight capture of this pair just above the water. I note the reflections do not line up. The tail of the front bird touches or overlaps the beak of the bird behind, but is not even close in the reflection. It may just be me, but it seems the reflections should mirror the positions of the actual birds.

The reflection makes it for me, well captured.

Ron Day wrote:Sharon, a great flight capture of this pair just above the water. I note the reflections do not line up. The tail of the front bird touches or overlaps the beak of the bird behind, but is not even close in the reflection. It may just be me, but it seems the reflections should mirror the positions of the actual birds.

Hi Ron.   Thanks for your comment and I do see what you're talking about....it stumped me for a bit when I first saw it.   I think that if the the birds in the air were perfectly in front/behind each other the reflection would look the way you expect it too.   I think that the bird in the front is slightly closer to the lens than the rear bird, hence we're seeing each birds actual reflection.  I do appreciate your thoughts!

Sharon Hallowell wrote:

Ron Day wrote:Sharon, a great flight capture of this pair just above the water. I note the reflections do not line up. The tail of the front bird touches or overlaps the beak of the bird behind, but is not even close in the reflection. It may just be me, but it seems the reflections should mirror the positions of the actual birds.

Hi Ron.   Thanks for your comment and I do see what you're talking about....it stumped me for a bit when I first saw it.   I think that if the the birds in the air were perfectly in front/behind each other the reflection would look the way you expect it too.   I think that the bird in the front is slightly closer to the lens than the rear bird, hence we're seeing each birds actual reflection.  I do appreciate your thoughts!

Sharon, I think you are correct, the distance of the bird from the camera must affect the reflection. Thank you for your input. The birds and their reflection are beautiful.

Odd about the reflections, but such a unique view to get both birds and reflections in frame like this, Sharon!

Carol.

Ron Day wrote:Sharon, a great flight capture of this pair just above the water. I note the reflections do not line up. The tail of the front bird touches or overlaps the beak of the bird behind, but is not even close in the reflection. It may just be me, but it seems the reflections should mirror the positions of the actual birds.

You would only expect that alignment if the camera was at water level.  If the camera were above the subject, the reflection would separate like this.

E.J. Peiker wrote:

Ron Day wrote:Sharon, a great flight capture of this pair just above the water. I note the reflections do not line up. The tail of the front bird touches or overlaps the beak of the bird behind, but is not even close in the reflection. It may just be me, but it seems the reflections should mirror the positions of the actual birds.

You would only expect that alignment if the camera was at water level.  If the camera were above the subject, the reflection would separate like this.

Thank you Mr. Peiker!  I appreciate you input.