Photographing this Ring-billed Gull leaving the water with a shad was an exciting, fast-paced moment. It’s the kind of experience that makes sitting on cold rocks and freezing worth it. This shot was captured at Robert S. Kerr Reservoir (Kerr Dam) near Sallisaw, Oklahoma.
I was using my Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. This setup worked well for the fast action and unpredictable movements of the gulls. I positioned myself close to the water, down in the rocks, and waited for sunrise. Once the light was sufficient, I started photographing the feeding birds. To stabilize my camera and lens, I braced them on my knee while shooting.
Camera Settings for the Shot:
- Mode: AV (Aperture Priority)
- Aperture: f/5.6
- ISO: 640
- Shutter Speed: 1/2500 sec
- Focal Length: 400mm
Getting a sharp image like this in action-packed conditions required careful positioning and quick reflexes. If you’re photographing birds near water, patience and adaptability are key. The early morning light and active feeding behaviors of the birds created an excellent opportunity for a dynamic shot like this one.
The cold rocks might not be comfortable, but the reward is moments like these.