Duet, Take Two

This is very cool. It reminds me of the Blue Angels with everyone in formation doing their aerial stunts. The thumbnail doesn't do this one justice. It's my favorite of the gull series.

Thanks, Jeff, for the consistent support. This is one of my favorites, too. I work in spasms, and I shot a ton of these in the last few days. I've been too busy to upload them, but finally got to work on them last night. I love the guy on top. He looks like a painting, like something out of Matise or Modigliani.

Exquisite composition___really pleasing to the eye, unusual expression, perfect light & exposure, great color contrast also, Emmanuel, you have captured gorgeous moment!!! Best regards 7/7

I'm getting a bit of a hang of these creatures. I think they're

getting the hang of me as well. You could, I suppose, call it a

collaboration.

very good moment and shot..congrats

Beautiful capture, viewing larger is just breathtaking image, very unique expression.

Perfect timing~ nice composition. Cheers, Iren

Yes I agree you are getting the hang of these. Amazing detail . The double "V" really grabs the eye!

Very interesting pattern-shape made.Excellent capture.

Unusual and captivating. The guy on top seems to be daring you to take a closer look. There is something about that stare that seems to convey a deeper meaning.

The BEST photograph of your bird series so far, IMHO. Graceful & Beautiful. I have to ask you, how the heck did you get this perspective on the seagulls?

 

It almost seems like you're level with them horizontally. Or did you just happen to luck upon the pair flying towards you low above the ground? Pray do tell.

 

 

Cheers,

 

-Ade

Well, I cheat a bit. If you look at some of the pictures, you will see a few of the birds eating things like animal crackers. I usually show up at Alameda beach with about two or three bags of crackers, and these birds just flock toward me. This shot was made with a Digital Rebel, with a Sigma 70-300 zoom lens I got for $160 South of Market Street in San Francisco. I intend to upgrade my lens to a faster one, as I waste way too many shots.

 

It usually begins with a few birds, then their shrieks and squacks cause a racket, triggering a migration of freeloaders. As the birds approach me, they tilt their head downward to see where the food is. This is when I do my most shooting, of the late arrivals coming in for the free grub. Sometimes, I throw it up at them to attract them.

 

The rest is simple observation of their nature and habits. For instance, it took me a while to figure out that they don't just hover on their own, but stay afloat through the force of the wind, which means that if you try to affect the direction of their hovering to better use available light, you are doomed to fail. The second thing I learned is that if you shoot too early in the day, the contrast on the feathers will be too harsh.

 

Last thing, but certainly not least, is to KNOW YOUR BIRDS. These seagulls at Alameda Beach are used to people, and will literally come up to you and hover almost within your reach. I thought that was how all seagulls acted. LOL! After I spent three frustrating days at Candlestick Point where there were hundreds of birds, but where they stayed as far from you as possible, I quietly licked my wounds and went home.

Thanks for the tips. I'll try to employ them next time i'm at Ocean City, MD.

 

Cheers,

 

-Ade

Very original shot,Emmanuel!Perfectly timed and good exposure.

Cheers,Jim

Don't know how I missed this when you first posted it. Viewed "larger," it's an even more stunning shot. The shapes and colors and composition are superb. Regards...

Excellent capture, great composition and moment

Great work nad wonderful freezing the time.Regards

Excellent emmanuel, what a great simplcity...perfect

 

Daniella

!!!7/6

I really like this one too!! Excellent grab!!!

I don't usually shoot gulls, because they are so common, but u really have a nice series with exceptional lighting and poses. I should talk, been shooting mallards lately for practice.

Superb capture Emmanuel, great formation and moment. Very good colour saturation and lighting. Nicely presented. 7/6 from me. A hearty well done.

Superb - 7/7

beautiful moment, great capture