Common Tern In-Flight

Nikon D1h, 600mm f/4 AF-S, Sunny-16, -0.7ev, 1/2500sec, f/5.6, Auto WB, Auto Tone, Wimberly Head, Gitzo 410

It is very difficult to make pictures of white birds with major portions of their anatomy colored black. In this case, the birds eye is difficult to see because it's crown overcome's the very small catchlight that's reflecting in its eye. Fill-flash is usually the tool needed to fix this problem. In this case, it was too sunny for any flash photography. That meant a compromise was made between making the eye very obvious and keeping the highlights undercontrol