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Guillemot Towers


Guillemot Towers
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 1D Mark II, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-07-15 7:12
Viewed: 619
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is another shot from my recent trip to Scotland. It was taken from a rocky boat, in poor light, just before a storm. I like Guillemots (Murres) they look just like small penguins and huddle together in the best nesting spots.

Canna is a beautiful island in the Inner Hebrides, 8km long by 2km wide and containing features of considerable importance to natural history.

It is hard to imagine that not so long ago, in 1821, there were 436 people living on the island working the land whereas today there are only thirteen.

Canna and Sanday are owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are designated a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), and Special Protection Area (SPA) for their seabird interests.

The cliffs to the west and north of Canna; and south of Sanday hold around 15,000 seabirds of 14 different species.

In European terms, the shag colony is probably the most important, formerly representing 2% of the European population, and currently the second largest in Scotland.

The main nest site is in the boulder fields at the western end of Canna (Garisdale), stretching round to the South (The Nunnery) with further sites to the north (Geugasgor).

There are large colonies of Common Guillemots and Razorbills at Geugasgor and the south-west of Canna, while Puffins are mainly confined to some stacks off Sanday.
herptwerp, uleko, jaycee, gracious, Argus, nglen, PaulH, rousettus, SelenE, extramundi, delic has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

great picture, TFS Ori

interesting subject good colors nice focus very good DOF with nice background

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2007-07-15 7:54]

Hello James,
This is really outstanding, perhaps partly beacause I love these birds which I've never seen. Perhaps I'll make it one day!!
I love the way they're grouped there together keeping a look-out on the rocky shelf. Excellent DOF and sharp details. I like the contrasting dark rocky background and your POV is excellent.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2007-07-15 8:19]

Hi James,

I have never heard of these birds and at first glimpse did think they were small penguins. The group looking over the cliff is just wonderful. They are so small yet so sharp and clear. Show off well against the gloomy background.

Jane

Hello James,
Good exposure and focus with sharpness
good composition and well seen
cheers
Tony

Gran enfoque y profundidad. Excelente efecto óptico. Magnífica fotografía !! Saludos James.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2613 W: 133 N: 7504] (23403)
  • [2007-07-15 10:09]

Hello james,
Another fine capture of the penguins of the North!
Good white management and fine composition to show the environment of these Guillemots.
TFS and regards, Ivan

James,

Lovely picture. Excellent point of view and sharpness.

- Murali Santhanam

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 514 W: 8 N: 1099] (4072)
  • [2007-07-15 10:22]

Hello James,
Great capture in extreme conditions.
It was a hard POV I imagine but you
manged it very well.. congratulations

"I'll Be Back"

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2007-07-15 12:20]

Hi James,
I love these birds.
Sharp and well composed.
They are very brave to perch that close to the edge!! :) But I suppose if they fall...they would just fly away. :)
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1993 W: 5 N: 5571] (21050)
  • [2007-07-15 12:25]

Hi James. a very good picture of the Guillemots. they do look like Penguins all together. its a very good shot taken from the boat in poor light. very well done TFs.great note again.
Nick.. have a good week ahead.

Hi James,
sometimes i think it's nice to see birds 'en masse' rather than in a portrait. You've got a great DOF here, the focus is spot on, and in less than ideal conditions too. Great shot.
Paul

Hi James,
what a nice capture of these lovely birds. Composition, details, exposure great. The rock must be very high. Good notes. thanks
Well done
Ahmet

James, this is an amazing capture of these birds looking like penguins.
Despite the rocking boat and all that, you have managed a fantastic shot with your IS equipped lens. The birds are well highlighted againt the dark cliffs.
Thanks for sharing this grand image.

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2351 W: 61 N: 3811] (12226)
  • [2007-07-15 23:14]

Hi James,
Lovely composition with beautiful models, good lighting, colors , POV and DOF. TFS
Bes wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2007-07-16 1:25]

James WOW Are they having a board meeting? All of them seem to be saying something. Excellent shot. TFS Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-07-16 7:48]

Hi James,
Wonderful shot of these Guillemots, huddled together. They look majestic and the colour contrast is superb. Very sharp image with clear details and perfect lighting and focus. The artwork created by their droppings also looks great, ha ha. Excellent POV and a superb composition. How many places and species will you show us - amazing nature journey of the world this. Thank you and looking forward to many more. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

What a nice contrast all this group against the black walls.
The feeling of height is very well managed with the use of DOF. The shine of the light delimitating the black heads contour is great to see. Beautiful capture and nice note too.
Thanks, Felipe.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-07-17 19:19]

Hello James

Excellent POV and DOF.I can only imagine where you were standing to get this.The clarity is super with sharp focus.TFS


Rob

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-07-30 0:07]

Hi James,
Fine shot of the colony and its environment. Adversity never stops you from making such nice images. Regards,
Hakan

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