Motif: Black Tern

Marc, this rocks. great detail for this dark bird. For printing, I would clone out the white spots on the head so the catchlight in the eye was more noticeable.

Wonderful image. The detail in the black is amazing.

Super - great detail in this dark bird. One I've not had a chance to photograph.
Chip

Superb shot Oliver, wonderful diagonals created with the wing positions and excellent detail in the dark plumage.

Marc,

Very nice flight shot. I like the wing position and you did a great job with the exposure.

Very nice. Super detail. I have a couple shots of one of these but I would never show them to anyone. They are pale shadows compared to this.

aj

This is great. What a terrific bird!

Marvelous shot.

Nice shot Marc. I spent a few hours trying for one of these in Montana last summer and came up empty.

Incredible capture Marc These birds fly like darts that never stay in a straight line. How did you do it? Action is stopped and detail is terrific, an almost impossibe shot. I'm impressed, as I have tried to shoot one of these each year at Point Pelee and always come away empty handed.

Lat Correa wrote:These birds fly like darts that never stay in a straight line.

That's an understatement! I found that out the hard way - this is one of 2 (3?) keepers from about 105 images that I shot that afternoon with the 10D (having left my Eos3 at home). Judging by Jim's and your comments I didn't do as badly as I thought at the time - I was frustrated to the extreme and nearly returned my just bought 10D to the dealer and going back to film. Two weeks passed before I could return for another shoot and by that time the terns had all headed south. As a result, my planned shootout/AF test between my 10D and Eos3 never happened. I kept both bodies and the 10D has helped me produce some of my best ever photos while my beloved Eos3 is gathering dust in my camera bag. I still like my Eos3 better (by a mile) but the image quality and immediate results of the 10D seem to have a powerful hold on me.

Camera Settings: AI Servo (not AI Focus), center point only, IS off

cheers, Oliver

Tremendous photo, Oliver -- a unique species captured with sharpness and color detail throughout.

Oliver:

Good job on the blacks. Congratulations.

Fine shot, Marc. Exposure here is difficult but you pulled it off.

Great shot, Marc. A tough shot.....but in exposure and capture. You did an excellent job with both.

Beautiful bird , excellent exposure and nice detail!!
Congrats!!

Very nice exposure.
Wonderful image!