Chase the Fish

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Chase the Fish
Photo Information
Copyright: John Plumb (JPlumb) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 654 W: 159 N: 889] (2827)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D-200, AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 IF ED DX
Exposure: f/6.7, 1/750 seconds
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-04-28 18:31
Viewed: 959
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae) are the most common seagulls in Australia. They are found throughout the continent, but of course primarily in the coastal regions. They do not often venture far out to sea.

They are very successful scavengers, and have thrived quite well around humans, readily pestering people for handouts, or they can be quite brazen and steal it from food that is momentarily unattended. They also eat worms, fish, insects and other crustaceans. Gulls are also very opportunistic among themselves and with other birds, and will readily steal each others food.

In this shot, the lead gull had captured or found a fish. It was obviously too large for it to handle quickly. The problem was, other gulls saw it before it was able to do anything with the fish. The chase was on. The other gulls chased this one until he eventually dropped the fish. Another one picked it up, and the chase was on again. I found it quite comical to watch, and loud, with all of their squawking. I enjoyed watching the pursuit. The one standing up front was quite indignant, demanding that the bird drop the fish, then you have a couple of gulls quietly standing in the background, content to just watch.

Some of this from: http://www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/silver_gull.htm
ID from: Simpson K. and Day N. (2004), Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Penguin Books, Camberwell

This shot is a bit of fun. It was taken in the middle of Canoe Pool in Newcastle (a wading pool built in the 30’s for children). I was set up for some scenery shots, with a wider angle lens than I would have wanted for these birds, but you do what you can with the tools available. With the wider angle, I had to crop down to present what you see here today. Members of TN are invited to view the large post .

Workflow for this shot was as follows:
The shoot – shot in Raw with Jpeg reference (55 mm ISO 250 f6.7 1/750)
NEF file adjusted for exposure, shadow, vignetting, brightness and contrast
Levels – adjusted for black points
Curves - adjusted RGB for contrast – very slight s-curve
Added saturation layer +20 to master
Saved as a tiff
for this post crop for position and size, resized, created a new layer, selectively sharpened through use of a mask layer, framed and saved as a jpeg
Backed up to the tiff, re-cropped for position and size (and to fit LP requirements), resized for large post, created a new layer, selectively sharpened through use of a mask layer, framed and saved as a jpeg.
mamcg, rcrick, Jamesp, jusninasirun, darwin, rousettus, mvdisco, boreocypriensis, inked, goldyrs, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 557 W: 39 N: 1001] (3266)
  • [2008-04-28 20:06]

Hi John,

Boy the chase is on, I like the panoramic crop works really well, excellent detail and colours, one can almost hear the noise those Gulls were making, LP looks excellent.
Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-04-28 23:07]

Hi John

Great shot - I like the crop which shows this action very well - the viewer sees the 'story' easily and well. An expert shot.

James

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
  • [2008-04-29 0:18]

Hello John,
A great action shot of a group of these beautiful gulls catching fish at the shoreline.
Superb sharpness and composition with good lighting.
Thanks for sharing this fine image that evokes good memeories of this species,
Ivan

Hello John. Excellent spread of the presentation here. I can see various wing patterns on each gull so well exposed under bright light. The shadow on the wet sand demonstrating their feeding habit is very well shared here in TN. Well done and best regards. Jusni

Hi John
Great presentation and action shot
Fine detail and nice natural color
tfs jon

Hello John
a great capture of Larus group when they hunting. Nicely focused and composed. also frame, POVvery nice. goo notes. thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1549 W: 0 N: 1182] (6482)
  • [2008-04-29 16:56]

Hi John,
Great action shot! excellent details, natural colour and nicely croped.
Chi

Hi John,
Lovely composition of the action capture, Beautiful picture nicely composed and presented in panorama, Excellent POV. and colors..well done.
Michel

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 125 W: 0 N: 214] (634)
  • [2008-04-29 23:13]

hi John,
nice shot of this seagull chase. lots of action going on, and i like how there's one at the front trying to block the fish-holder off. good detail and nice and sharp pic. good choice for a large view. tfs and well done
Gethin

Good morning John,
Splendid action capture of these birds.
TFS. Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2008-04-30 22:43]

Hi John,
Wonderful shot of these Sea Gulls having fun on the beach. Very impressive sharpness and colours with superb natural lighting and exposure levels. Nice documentary image. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Sorry I missed this lovely composition, Bro!This is sooooo live and real, John.Excellent capture!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hi John,

A nice panoramic image of the seagulls which are pursuing another bird with a fish in his beak. The light is enhancing the colors and sending shadows in the sand. Your note has a lot of information. Have a nice day.

Pierre

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