Picture Of The Week 11-19-07

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Forester's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)

Forester's Tern
Non-breeding plumage

Where: Gwynn's Island, VA • Chesapeake Bay

Notes: Wildlife photography has disciplined me to sit and wait for the moment I hope to capture and share. This not only helps me to practice patience but it allows me the unique opportunity to observe behaviors that I would have otherwise not witnessed. I crept up and knelt behind a levy wall, near some old dock posts that a group of about two dozen Forester's Terns had claimed as perches that moning. The flock rose to the air, circled and then settled, each bird attempting to claim a post of its own. With a few more terns than post tops, a few birds were left seat-less and would attempt to evict others off their spots. It was like a game of musical chairs and the music had stopped. Occasionally a bird would be bounced of its claim, but clearly the advantage was with those that had grabbed some real estate first.

Equipment: Canon EOS D20 • Canon 100-400mm Zoom L Series Lens • Hand Held

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/500 second • Aperture = f 7.1 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: AI Focus • Lens (Focal) Length = 400 mm • ISO = 100 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~15 Feet • Date Shot: 11-17-07

©2007 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.

To Order Prints

This photograph is available on archival premium luster photopaper. Quality prints come signed by the artist, matted (white) with backing board and clear protective polypak. Satisfaction Guaranteed or Full Refund. A portion of the proceeds goes to support avian habitat conservation efforts.

Larger sizes can be custom ordered and printed using a high resolution seven color ink process on matte finished photo stock: 12" x 18", 16" x 20", 18" x 24" and 20" x 24' See ADDITIONAL PRINT SIZES for more information.

Forester's Terns (No. 6914) - Size: 8" x 10" • Signed Print with 11" x 14" White Matte • S&H Included
Item: FOTE(_MG_6914)8X10 . . . $39.95

Forester's Terns (No. 6914) - Size: 11" x 14" • Signed Print with 16" x 20" White Matte • S&H Included
Item: FOTE(_MG_6914)11X14 . . . $59.95

Forester's Terns (No. 6914) - Size: 5" x 7" • 12 Note Cards boxed with 14 Envelopes • S&H Included
Item: FOTE(_MG_6914)5X7NC . . . $29.95

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