<< Previous Next >>

Razorbill


Razorbill
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Prince (PDP) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2952 W: 367 N: 3779] (11765)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Digital ISO 200, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/800 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-07-31 18:05
Viewed: 2136
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Razorbill

Alca torda

Of all the birds I saw on my recent trip to Ireland these were undoubtably my favourite. They have bags of character and they have some very funny poses. They often sit in little groups and bouts of affection and fighting often break out. Their landings can be very funny to watch too.

The razorbill is a medium-sized seabird. It is black above and white below. It has a thick black beak which is deep and blunt, unlike the thinner bill of the similar guillemot. It breeds around the coast of the UK, with the largest colonies in northern Scotland. There are none breeding between the Humber and the Isle of Wight. Birds only come to shore to breed, and winter in the northern Atlantic. The future of this species is linked to the health of the marine environment. Fishing nets, pollution and declining fish stocks all threaten the razorbill.

Where does it live?
Breeding
Rocky cliffs and among boulder scree close to the sea.
Wintering
At sea

Where to see it
Best looked for at seabird colonies in the breeding season, particularly in northern Scotland. You may see them from seawatching points around the coast at other times.

What does it eat?
Fish, especially sandeels, sprats and herrings.

What does it sound like?
It makes a growling ‘caarrrr’.

When to see it
On the breeding cliffs from March to end of July. Rather scarce in inshore waters the rest of the time.

Notes are from RSPB

I've given up using points so feel free to comment or critique as you wish.

I hope you like it.
Signal-Womb, scottevers7, marhowie, Fisher, claudine, chouette, horia, manyee, coasties, liquidsunshine, LordPotty, dew77, keanhoon, thistle, hester, aido, firelord, Silke, slrnovice2, gerhardt, Zeno, Argus, Luc has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To red45: ThanksPDP 2 08-02 05:29
To red45: up periscopePDP 2 08-02 04:45
To hester: :-)PDP 1 08-01 16:35
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Very nice capture Paul with excellent detail and composition. I am looking hard for blown highlights to catch you on but none to report. Very well done.

Hi Paul,
That is an extremely difficult shot to get detail and color in the broad range of black to white. I would say you nailed it perfectly here. Perfect exposure has rendered great color and detail throughout. Nice frame filling full body shot.
Very well done. He looks awesome!
Scott

Hi Paul,
Nice shot of this interesting looking guy..
Excellent in every way..I've always appreciated your attention to detail ;)
I might've ventured a discreet clone-out of the metal leg tag.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2006-07-31 19:28]

Hi Paul,

Splendid, super quality, extraordinary lighting, well controlled whites and blacks. Most of all, it's the vertical, super work Sir Paul.

Mike

  •      
  • claudine Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2511 W: 204 N: 2861] (10297)
  • [2006-07-31 20:26]

Hi Paul,
This is an amazing bird and amazing photo of it! This bird is so symmetric, he looks almost unreal:) Very nice contrast, POV, details and composition. Sophisticated picture. TFS,
Claudine

Fantastic capture! Light and colors are beautiful. Composition is great. Everything is perfect. Thanks for sharing!

What an unusual looking bird, Paul.
I have never seen one of these before, and just by their looks, I would venture that they have a lot of character. : )
This is a hard shot, with the black and white feathers, and the eye embedded in the black part. Your shot is excellent, with perfect exposure and spot-on focus. I can see the eye clearly, and the fine white line on the face really gives the razorbill a raucous look.
TFS this very interesting bird. : )

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2171 W: 232 N: 4055] (13483)
  • [2006-08-01 3:47]

Superb capture, Paul!
This really is a very spectacular animal. At first i thought this is a black and white photo, but then i saw the small coloured part at the tip of its mouth...fantastic!
Great POV and DOF, super sharp details and an excellent framing.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 750 W: 13 N: 1453] (4981)
  • [2006-08-01 4:00]

Hi Paul

Superb Shot of this Handsome fellow, the detail, POV & colours are excellent, the penguin stands out really well against the blurred BG.

Well Done
Regards Hilary

Very nice capture with excellent detail and great composition.
TFS

Hi Paul

What a beautiful bird. All dressed up in his best gear and ready to go! Exposure is perfect. Thank you for the introduction. :-)

A good capture Paul,
The details are nice, clear and sharp.
Good colours, lighting and exposure. The POV is as usual spot on.
Well composed and nicely framed.
Thanks for posting, have a great week

Hi Paul,
I didn't realise you were still here too.
It gets harder to find ones friends as the site grows.
This certainly is an amazing bird,and what a sharp shot ... but then you've always been a sharpshooter :)
Nice to see your work again. I'll have to look for some more.
Cheers, Steve

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4964 W: 298 N: 4027] (13131)
  • [2006-08-01 6:56]

Hello Paul,
Very difficult subject for adjusting right exposure and you did it perfect.Details on black and white feathers are great.I liked POV,simple BG,framing,expression on face and composition also a lot.
TFS...:-)

  •      
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2341] (8407)
  • [2006-08-01 7:22]

Hi Paul,
Very good portrait with a sensational pose, very good color, details, composition and pov.
José M.

Fasinating subject. Thanks for introducing to TN members.

  •      
  • thistle Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1442 W: 80 N: 3017] (9268)
  • [2006-08-01 10:38]

Hello Paul,
Lovely! I think you've managed the exposure more than perfectly! There is plenty of details on the white as well as on the dark plumage.
Love his look, very self confident. I think the pose and strangely evil or maybe clever looking eye give that impression.
You said they have a lot of character and through this picture you showed it. That's not easy at all!
Simply beautiful :-)

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1648 W: 79 N: 1438] (4742)
  • [2006-08-01 13:47]

Hi Paul,

Exposure is very good on this one and the pose of the bird is excellent. Well done! The details are sharp and POV & composition are very good. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1517 W: 18 N: 3137] (11548)
  • [2006-08-01 14:28]
  • [+]

Lovely shot. I love the composition - the bird fills the whole frame but it works. The colours are lovely and the bird stands out nicely from the background. Great details you can see all the feathers on the breast. He looks like he is giving you an evil look though

Hi Paul!
I don't know exactly why, but this bird remainds some Russian, ultramodern, nuclear submarine :-) Great portrait. Beak and dangerous eye are the best.

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1095 W: 169 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-08-02 4:39]

Hi Paul,
Great portrait, perfect exposure for a tricky subject. I read Greg's comment and know where he is coming from, it's the smooth matt-black and the shape of the head. Great shot.
Cheers,
Adrian

Well this is a nice and clean capture of this really cool looking razorbill, I just love those soft backgrounds Paul, keep'em coming. :)

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1730] (5406)
  • [2006-08-03 9:14]

A superb capture that is spot-on in all the technical details. The composition is grand (love the pose), and your notes much appreciated.
TFS
Silke

beautiful plumage! Seriously lovely details and colours. Well done.

Julian

Hi Paul, I'd have to give you two points just for your management of the exposure in this difficult shot if not for anything else. Excellently done. As if that were not enough you have great detail, composition and BG too. A sure winner :)

Once again... very impressed and wish this was mine. What a bird... I have not seen this rarity?? before. Great capture Paul, standing ovation.

  •      
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7979)
  • [2006-08-14 13:10]

Hi Paul,

Vey sharp capture of this typical bird. Its a bit tight cropped but nevertheless, great shot.
TFS.

regards,
Zeno.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14721)
  • [2006-08-29 8:47]

Oui, je l'aime bien. Il a quelque chose, son oeil, qui me appelle celui de l'éléphant.
La gestion des blancs est parfaite ici.
Il y a une ligne pâle derrière sa tête et son cou qui me gène un peu.
Je constate qu'il est bagué, ce cornet de crème glacée vanille et chocolat!
Merci pour le partage, Paul.

Beautiful view of this bird's unique markings. The composition clearly illustrates where the common name comes from. Wonderful detail and exposure control. Well done.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF