Golden Bird Dance

Highest position in Explore = 1 on March 30th, 2009, thank you for the support!

I was finally able to get outside after a string of rainy days. Sadly, the sunset was a bust as a set of clouds moved in right as the sun begain going down. But I was able to capture an interesting shot of the seagulls flying about next to Ivar’s on Pier 54 of the Seattle waterfront. The folks that you can see over in the right portion of the screen kept throwing bits of cracker and the birds were flying about in a rather manic frenzy... as if those little crumbs were last on Earth. I’m glad I brought my Nikon D700 out today with the extended battery pack so I could capture the motion at 8fps. don’t think the folks trying to eat a peaceful meal of fish ‘n chips appreciated my “ratatat tat” machine gun sounds that came from my camera however :) This was my favorite of the bunch as one seagull passed right in front of the sun.

Though colorful, this is not an HDR. Other than standard post processing (levels, curves, contrast), I adjusted the white balance and then applied a warming filter in Photoshop. Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    ighs, Sareni, Artie | Photography :: I'm a lazy boy :), VincenzoScala, and 537 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. Sareni (50 months ago | reply)

    Wow so beautiful!

  3. Fay Lim (Fly) (50 months ago | reply)

    Great creation & golden light~

  4. Artie | Photography :: I'm a lazy boy :) (50 months ago | reply)

    beautiful shot of those seagulls jason!

  5. VincenzoScala (50 months ago | reply)

    my god. is too wonderful!!! :-)

  6. Denis Collette...!!! (50 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Gold Seal of Quality (INVITED PHOTOS ONLY : Post 1 comment 3), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  7. Denis Collette...!!! (50 months ago | reply)

    ...how beautiful...!!!

  8. mikemendoza [deleted] (50 months ago | reply)

    Amazing capture, Surreal. The god's of photography must be smiling at you. =)

  9. DolliaSH (50 months ago | reply)

    Beautifull golden light.
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    Seen in my contacts' photos

  10. tijen ünlü (50 months ago | reply)

    Very wonderful..:))

  11. Ehsan Gusti Photography (50 months ago | reply)

    Very stunning! It looks like a fine art painting. Another aweseome wrok, Jason. Congrats! Have another week my friend :)

  12. scarpace87 (50 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful! A very good shot!

  13. tata montero (50 months ago | reply)

    stunning!

  14. Kiki FL (50 months ago | reply)

    Instant favorite! Fantastic in every way! The composition, color, subject, and processing are superb!

  15. dai oni (50 months ago | reply)

    very very nice - perfect light

  16. Yukio Kawasaki (50 months ago | reply)

    really cool shot. i love the warmth and the capture of all the birds.

  17. Cyvette (50 months ago | reply)

    Another fabulous picture! I love the golden light reflections off the water as well as the pier. :)

  18. Stacy Osterman (50 months ago | reply)

    excellent! The lines in this one are just insane, great job.

  19. Craig Stevens <castevens12> (50 months ago | reply)

    Surreal!

  20. josefjosef57 (50 months ago | reply)

    Preciosa toma, reflejos y composición, muy buena !!!!!

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    Vista en tu galería. (Yo también quiero esto)

  21. Dylan Toh (50 months ago | reply)

    wow, how long did you ahve to wait to capture that bird going across the sun? fantastic timing and composition

  22. subtlegina (50 months ago | reply)

    Really gorgeous image...just knew I'd love it even as a thumbnail! Wonderful capture!!

  23. LittlePrince83 (50 months ago | reply)

    Breathtaking. Fantastic! Definitely my fav.

  24. todd- (50 months ago | reply)

    wonderful work here!

  25. Surrealize (50 months ago | reply)

    Wow, thanks all for the wonderful comments! I didn't know that seagulls could be a hit :)

    Dylan - To answer your question, catching the bird going across the sun was lucky. There were a lot of birds flying around and I didn't even know I had it until I got home to preview. I was just focused on the birds' glowing wings that I could see below and tried to pick up new birds flying in my peripheral vision. I just put my camera in burst mode (8fps) and kept firing small bursts of shots, probably 100 total.

  26. Fred Beahm (50 months ago | reply)

    Great composition.

  27. Allaninva2008 (50 months ago | reply)

    This seems to be one of those "WOW!" images. Well Composed, lots going on, lines, color, reflections - just one of those all around great images.

  28. Aileenie (50 months ago | reply)

    OMG!!!! this is just incredible! I love how the bird eclipsed the sun...really creates a more unique and magical feel! Just love this!!

  29. Y~L .... [deleted] (50 months ago | reply)

    beautiful golden composition !!!
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    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  30. Robbie  Swan (50 months ago | reply)

    Breathtaking photo!!! Incredible colors, love it!!!!!!!

  31. T Glow (50 months ago | reply)

    wow............

    SPLENDID work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  32. L Geoffroy (50 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful capture. The light is fantastic.

  33. Kristina Camino (50 months ago | reply)

    Very very well done!

  34. Dani Nicola (50 months ago | reply)

    Wow

  35. moog55 (50 months ago | reply)

    great shot jason!! you've got a knack with the birds.

  36. That'sAmore! (50 months ago | reply)

    Interesting sunset scene at the waterfront.......well captured & processing! Congrats!!

  37. Lou_P87 (50 months ago | reply)

    This is a beautiful shot! Love the colours and the bird right in the centre is a great focal point!

  38. briburt (50 months ago | reply)

    Stunning shot. Absolutely amazing composition and color range.

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    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  39. FarhadFarhad .(Farhad Jahanbani) (50 months ago | reply)

    Ivory Shot !
    Stunning colors ... Beautiful work ... ~

  40. Kathy_NF (50 months ago | reply)

    wow! surreal!

  41. SkyShaper (50 months ago | reply)

    Total

  42. Nathaly Souza (50 months ago | reply)

    Lindas cores! fantasticas!

  43. Gaz Cody (50 months ago | reply)

    Perfection!!!
    You deserved #1. :)

  44. Lady_Don :: ELITES:: (50 months ago | reply)

    Wow! How did I miss this one? I can see why it's so high on Explore. It's magnificent! This piece draws you in and gives you the experience of being there. I can almost smell the sea and hear the gulls!

  45. 5ERG10 (50 months ago | reply)

    beautiful, very impressed that it's not an hdr!

  46. Faddoush (50 months ago | reply)

    Amazing capture and processing!

    Have a nice weekend :)

  47. VEMB (50 months ago | reply)

    stunning work!!!

  48. Moments Frozen in Time Busy for now. (50 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful work



    Your photo has been appraised as a Platinum Photograph
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  49. Surrealize (50 months ago | reply)

    Moog55 - Ha, knack for birds, eh? It's easy, you can too. Just put out your arms and say, "Come to me jungle friends - oooooaaaaaaoooooaaaaaa" and they'll start flying about... OR, if you don't quite have your Ace Ventura speak down, you can always try the guarantee... bird feed :)

  50. Brooke Townsend (50 months ago | reply)

    holy moly!! this is INCREDIBLE!! absolutely stunning =D

  51. Demien_ (50 months ago | reply)

    Wow ... Nice Shot my friend !! Excellent !!
    Wonderful work
    I wish you a fabulous day!

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