I have to confess that this was something of a speculative shot – 1/8s at this focal length isn't a shutter speed I'd advise – but I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. I guess that some of you may feel that it lacks a clear point of focus, but for me that's a part of the magic of this type of shot: a scene that isn't entirely clear, that invites you to speculate. Anyway, let me know what you think, even if it is to tell me that it would be better with a clear focal point.

Also, as a follow up to yesterday's shot: when our eldest daughter saw it, her immediate response was "it looks like it's held up by strings" ... and I have to agree. It's reasonably sharp, and well composed, but I do think that it would have been much better if I'd used a slower shutter speed (around 1/250); i.e. there would have been a slight blurring along the edges of the wings and the seagull would have looked more a part of its environment rather than something pasted on afterwards.

The net result of which is that I'll continue practising the seagull shots ;-)