It took a thousand years...

[Bobobird]

First things first - my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted this shot in the September monthly.

The title makes no sense so why?

My lovely better half said something really funny when she first saw this image. I would like to share that here with my many friends. She said "Now that you have the shot that you have waited a thousand years to get, it is maybe time to hang up the camera because you don't have another thousand years left to get another one". LOL

Well ---- it has only been a little over 3 years but it surely felt like a thousand!!!! But most of that time, I had no idea (or wish) to do a shot into the sun. This year was getting somewhat bored with the same same shots day in day out and had started to look out for something different.

But with birds over which one has no control that is easier said then done.

What I do like about this shot is that the eye and catchlights are still visible making it just a tad different from the usual. The sun reflecting off the inside feathers may have been what did it.

I just wish there was something else in the frame to make the "story"...

[Shadowman]

So how'd she take the news?

I think there's enough in the frame, just wrapping your mind around which direction is enough to engage the viewer.

[Bobobird]

Thanks John.
The news for her was that I was looking to upgrade. haha

[madcrow]

It is a fabulous and beautiful image. The timing just brilliant. The next great shot might be around the next bend.

[Wavelength]

This is a happening.... Nature chose you to happen it; really a timeless beauty!!!!

[FootLoose]

Incredible shot, Bobo. I think the narrative is there - the bird swooped and missed (I can't see anything in its talons).

Tell your other half that the 2nd thousand years passes much more quickly

[Stagecoach]

It was well worth waiting for Bobo, but what's coming next

[DickyOZ]

What a wonderful image. Most of us will never one like it in a lifetime.

[IzzieK]

Well...you had conveyed a very good intention and got it right...You should be a woman if you are always right, so one right is enough...I think... It certainly is an unusual shot!

I am still wondering why you coloured this one the way it is...???

[Bobobird]

The next great shot might be around the next bend.

Thanks Maurice. The next great shot is always around the corner and that is what keeps us going.

This is a happening.... Nature chose you to happen it; really a timeless beauty!!!!

Thanks Nadakumar for you wonderful words. Never thought of things this way. Thanks for that.

Tell your other half that the 2nd thousand years passes much more quickly

Thanks Greg. We would not be around to tell though!!!

...but what's coming next

Thanks Grahame. Who knows?? But that is the beauty of what a camera can do. It will, God willing, catch that moment.

Most of us will never one like it in a lifetime.

Thanks Richard. Again that is the beauty of having a camera handy - one never knows so we keep trying!

I am still wondering why you coloured this one the way it is...???

Thanks Izzie. Not going to enter the M/F debate. haha
Not sure if I understand the "coloured" part. Can you please elaborate?

[bnnrcn]

Great one Bobo

[Donald]

My lovely better half said something really funny when she first saw this image. I would like to share that here with my many friends. She said "Now that you have the shot that you have waited a thousand years to get, it is maybe time to hang up the camera because you don't have another thousand years left to get another one". LOL

Reassure her that once you get the first one, the rest become a lot easier and come along much more frequently.

Like others have said and as the voting suggested, this is an outstanding image. Photography of the very highest standard.

You don't make an image of like this by luck, but by hours and hours; weeks and months of dedication. This is about skill and artistic ability.

My compliments.

[skitterbug]

You wondered why one would be drawn to this pic? I was because the fellow is silhouetted so wonderfully! The shot is intriguing indeed! And I like the color! <grin> It would look great in my living room hanging on the wall! Well done!

[Mike Buckley]

The only point I can add to the conversation is that to be fully appreciated, the image must be viewed at the largest size. For Windows users, that means clicking the image once and then pressing F11 twice.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Binnur, Donald, Sandy, Mike - your kind words are truly appreciated.

I forgot to mention what bird this is. It is the amazing osprey, but everyone has probably guessed that already.

[NorthernFocus]

Really an interesting shot, Bobo. You definitely succeeded in doing something different. If not for the backlighting this position on the bird would have been a cull. But the silhouette of the head and the dramatic lighting make it almost abstract. One really has to study it to figure out exactly what is going on. And the longer it is studied the more interesting it gets. Really a cool shot. Nicely done.

Backlighting really offers some interesting opportunities and this is a perfect example of how dramatic the results can be. Well... at least once every thousand years or so

[purplehaze]

Amazing, Bobo. It's funny, I was watching Canada geese taking off against the backlighting of the setting sun last weekend and thinking, never in a million...

[IzzieK]

I meant ...is that the real colour of the atmosphere and the bird as you showed it here in this post? A bit strange to my eyes. It looks good though...hence I chose it.

[Manfred M]

Magnificent shot, Bobo!

I'm not someone who regularly shoots birds, but one of my own favourites is one I did a few years ago where the image was predominantly back lit. It's the only way that you can capture the beautiful translucence of the feathers and you have really nailed that with this image.

As Donald has already mentioned, now that you have nailed this shot, the next ones are going to be a lot easier to get!

[Marie Hass]

Awesome shot. I keep coming back and looking and looking and looking.

Marie