Northern Flicker takeoff

[terrib]

I have to admit this was a lucky shot. It took off from its perch as I was trying to frame the shot. So I clicked. But I did plan the timing and direction of light.

[Jim B.]

Stunning shot!
Perfect lighting.

[FrankMi]

Superb Terri, simply superb!

[Otavio]

Wonderful shot, Terri!

PS.: Regarding your "luck", I like a phrase that says: " the more I work hard, the luckier I become". So, you were there, venturing yourself, with your gear, to find a shot opportunity. That was your luck, Terri! Congrats for the shot!

Cheers,

[dulceza]

Magnificent shot!
Would you please share the Exif data.
Thank you

[NorthernFocus]

That is one awesome shot, Terri. Nice job. So do we all have to admit our lucky shots now?

[Bobobird]

WOW, hard to catch and on top of that you caught it so well. That is a super catch. Well done.

[IzzieK]

Oh Terri..........wonderful, top of the range shot! You said you planned this shot -- how long did you wait till you finally got that shot?

[Stagecoach]

That's not luck Terri, it's skill. Magic capture.

Grahame

[dje]

Top shot Terri, wonderful light and colour.

Dave

[noeta]

Very dynamic picture. I really like this.

[Teton Chuck]

I agree with all of the above. You did good!

[jamn4ex]

I have seen the bird a lot . I have some close by. but I never had a chance to get the underneath shot. You are fast. love that pic!

[chauncey]

Nicely done...the crop might be improved on. Aside from that, nice image.

[Downrigger]

Great shot. Beautiful. Clearly skillful. With wildlife, I think part of "skill" is putting yourself into situations, arranging yourself and your gear, and having the patience to have good luck.

[Brownbear]

Absolutely stunning!

[terrib]

Magnificent shot!
Would you please share the Exif data.
Thank you

I was shooting in Aperture Priority at 7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640 at 380mm.

[terrib]

That is one awesome shot, Terri. Nice job. So do we all have to admit our lucky shots now?

You know me, Dan. Pretty much full disclosure since I don't figure I can fool many people anyway! Thanks for the compliment!

[terrib]

Oh Terri..........wonderful, top of the range shot! You said you planned this shot -- how long did you wait till you finally got that shot?

Actually, Isabel, what I was planning was to catch the Cedar Waxwings that usually come to this spot to roost. So what was planned was the time of day and the direction of the light. The Waxwings had not arrived yet but this Flicker lit briefly then took off before I could compose anything. The funniest thing is that this shot turned out better than any of the Waxwings that actually sat still for their portraits. Still trying to figure out how that failed!!

[terrib]

Nicely done...the crop might be improved on. Aside from that, nice image.

Thanks, Chauncey, for the compliments. As to the crop, I'm not sure what you have in mind. Personally I would have liked more room at the top and left side but there is no room there. When he flew in, I swung and framed the bird on the right thirds line perched in the tree and it almost flew out of the frame before I could click. To minimize the feeling of him flying out of the frame, I flipped the aspect ratio to portrait and cropped out the tree. I tried less space at the bottom but didn't like the result. I like the little bit of extra space at the bottom as I think it gives some sense of height or lift to the flight (if that makes sense).