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Razorbill


Razorbill
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 21 N: 1173] (3685)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma EX 500mm f4.5 APO HSM, RAW ISO 800, Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DG 1.4x
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/640 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-07 0:52
Viewed: 359
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Razorbill at RSPB Bempton Cliffs nature reserve.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The Razorbill (Alca torda) is a large auk, 38-43 cm in length, with a 60-69 cm wingspan. It is the only living member of the genus Alca. Adult birds are black on their upperparts and white on the breast and belly. The thick black bill has a blunt end. The tail is pointed and longer than that of a Murre. In winter, the black face becomes white.
Their breeding habitat is islands, rocky shores and cliffs on northern Atlantic coasts, in eastern North America as far south as Maine, and in western Europe from northwestern Russia to northern France. North American birds migrate offshore and south, ranging from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to New England. Eurasian birds also winter at sea, with some moving south as far as the western Mediterranean.
These birds forage for food by swimming underwater. They mainly eat fish, like sandeels, herring and capelin, also some crustaceans and marine worms. Razorbills usually nest in large colonies and lay their eggs on bare rock or ground. Each partner will forage, then come home to take over with caring for the egg or young. They may well fly more than 100 km out to sea to feed when during egg incubation, but when provisioning the young, they forage closer to the nesting grounds, some dozen kilometers away, and often in shallower water.
Well-known Razorbill colonies include:
• Heligoland, Germany (54°10' N) - near southern limit in Europe, a few pairs only
• Staple Island, Outer Farne Islands, UK (55°38' N) - breeding season May to mid-July.
• Runde, Norway (62°24' N) - 3,000 pairs
• Látrabjarg, Iceland (65°30' N) - 230,000 pairs, about 40% of the global population (mid-1990s estimate). Breeding season June - July.[1]
• Grímsey, Iceland (66°33' N)
Evolution and prehistoric species
While the Razorbill is the only living species, the genus Alca had a much higher diversity in the Pliocene. A number of fossil forms have been found:
• Alca "antiqua" (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
• Alca sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA) - possibly A. stewarti
• Alca stewarti (Early Pliocene of Belgium)
• Alca ausonia (Yorktown Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA - Middle Pliocene of Italy)
• Alca sp. (Puerto de Mazarrón Pliocene of El Alamillo, Spain) - may be A. antiqua or A. ausonia
As far as is known, the genus Alca seems to have evolved in the western North Atlantic or the present-day Caribbean like most other Alcini. Its ancestors would have reached these waters through the still-open Isthmus of Panama during the Miocene.
Jamesp, jaycee, SelenE, gracious, efsus, uleko has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Jamesp: Razorbillspekkavalo1 3 07-07 15:26
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pekka

A great shot of a very difficult subject - it is so difficult to get the eye because of the intense contrast between the black and white feathers. You have done it here.

There are very few pairs on Staple Island, though they are easy to see. A much better location is Lungha in the Treshnish Islands near Mull, where they are by the path (look at - Razorbill in the rain - in my folder)

James

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1778 W: 8 N: 4605] (14893)
  • [2008-07-07 10:00]

Hi Pekka,

A wonderful close-up of this Razorbill.Were you in a risky position taking this shot too?? Interesting looking black and white bird. I like those white markings on his face. I can even make out the black eye on the black face. Well done.

Jane

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2339 W: 59 N: 3778] (12122)
  • [2008-07-07 11:09]

Hi Pekka,
I liked your POV, composition and pose you caught. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Hi Pekka, very good image, not the easiest bird to get, the body details are wonderful, the feet and lower body feathers are well defined. Getting the separation of colours and eye on the head is also very good. Fine work and tfs, regards h

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1683 W: 242 N: 5560] (19685)
  • [2008-07-07 15:03]

Nice shot, Pekka!
The lighting is great.
Very sharp and detailed.
Superb DOF.

Excellent work!

Cheers,
Joe

Hello Pekka,
Good captured just liked what James said, it a very difficult subject with Black and white feather! you had done it! my compliment!
good closeness with superb sharpness and details
many thanks for the sharing
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 184 W: 13 N: 170] (1086)
  • [2008-07-08 0:40]

Merhaba Pekka,
Bu ne kadar güzel bir Razorbill karesi. Adını duyup da kendisini hiç görme şansımın olmadığı canlılardan biri. Doğal ortamının fotoğraf çekimine uygun olmamasına rağmen çok iyi bir iş çıkartmışsınız.
Elinize sağlık.
Hüseyin

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 3 N: 738] (2646)
  • [2008-07-08 1:01]

Hi Pekka,
a superb shot of this Razorbill.
Sharp and detailed with a brilliant DOF.
Well done,
Siggi

Sorry!My computer is acting up on me again, this time I think it's got some virus!
Great shot!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2459 W: 168 N: 7421] (23442)
  • [2008-07-08 8:21]

Hello Pekka,
This one looks a bit sleepy, I hope he doesn't fall off the cliff! :-) Very fine capture of this beautiful bird, great sharpness and a fine composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-15 8:24]

Hello Pekka

Excellent POV.
The details are super.
Wonderful rich ,natural colours.
The focus is sharp,a very interesting post.
TFS

Rob

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