The Angel Returns.

[colin C]

I came across this shot recently, taken on Brownsea Island, where there is a colony of Sandwich Terns.

Colin Cross_The Angel Returns by Colin Cross, on Flickr

[Tigger]

Re: The Angel Returns.

wow thats stunning shot, great timing

[the black fox]

Re: The Angel Returns.

superb shot Colin

[tesarver]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Stunning. Well captured Colin

Tom

[Stan]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Very nice. I see it was shot way back in 2010 before they fenced the islands, so a shot that has been almost impossible since

[Trev B]

Re: The Angel Returns.

That is an excellent shot, so different from the normal BIF shots

[Dawesy]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Great capture Colin

[pelliott1954]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Cracking shot, lovely detail in the wings and the meal

Paul

[Daisy M]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Wow stunning.

[Alan_H]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Superb Colin, seen many shots with this pose but none as good

Alan

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Great image as always

[Carol]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Wow! Just wow!

[colin C]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Very nice. I see it was shot way back in 2010 before they fenced the islands, so a shot that has been almost impossible since

Sorry Stan, I knew it was an older shot when I "found" it, but I wasn't aware it was that old. However, going back over my more recent visits to Brownsea, I still managed a few without the fences.

For those that don't know Brownsea, you need a little planning to get the "Angel" shots. The Sandwich Terns, like all birds, land into the wind to slow them down enough to land. Bearing in mind the hide locations, that means the wind has to come from the South West, or South South West to get the Angel effect. Wind from the north gets you some very nice shots from the rear and from the east or west gets you side views. You also need bright overcast light, rather than hard sunlight (to exercise some control over the highlights and shadows) and for direction, that needs to be early to late afternoon light. You also need the time of the year when they are bringing Sand Eels back to the nest to feed the young before they fledge, ideally early June to mid July. Finally, you have to be quick enough to get the shot, as they transition from level fight to flare for landing very quickly after running the gauntlet of mobbing Black Headed Gulls.

So there is a lot of planning, or a lot of luck, or a lot of both to get the shot.

C18I6859 by Colin Cross, on Flickr

C18I6863a by Colin Cross, on Flickr

[ctrollen]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Wow! Beautiful shots, Colin. I don't want to take anything away from you by allowing that any of those were down to luck. You obviously put plenty of effort into the planning phase.

[colin C]

Re: The Angel Returns.

Thanks Chris.

Something I learnt many years ago: Perfect Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. So I try to plan shots as much as possible, but I am still more than happy to take advantage of opportunities as and when they present themselves.