|
|
|
Australasian Gannet #5
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator)
Description
The male and female Australasian Gannet are about 84 to 95 cm and are similar in plumage. Most of the body is white, with dark tips on the major wing feathers and the inner tail feathers. The head is buff-yellow and the bill pale blue-grey with striking black borders to the bill sheaths. In immature birds, the head and upperparts are mostly brown with scattered amounts of white spotting. Small flocks are seen soaring above the ocean. A bird will suddenly fold its wings back and dive spectacularly into the water.
Distribution and Habitat
Australasian Gannets are seabirds and are a familiar sight off the southern coast of Australia. The species is also found in the south-east, to New Zealand.
Food and feeding
Australasian Gannets are expert fishers. Birds soar 10 m or more above the surface of the water, herding fish into dense shoals, then fold their wings back and dive into the water to catch their prey. The fish are grasped with the aid of small backward-pointing serrations along the edges of the bill. A bird only stays under the water for about ten seconds, but the fish is normally swallowed before the bird reaches the surface.
Australasian Gannet egg Breeding
In Australia, the Australasian Gannet breeds in dense colonies on islands off Victoria and Tasmania. Breeding colonies are also found off the coast of New Zealand, mostly off the North Island. In Australia, eggs are laid in October to November, with chicks hatching after about 44 days. The young leave the nest after 100 days, but do not reach breeding maturity until about six or seven years old.
The above information taken from www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/australasian_gannet.htm
You can view my other Gannet photos here here
here and here
Image Information
Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 11:24 a.m.
Weather conditions: Overcast
Lens: Tamron 28 - 300mm XR
Filter: Hoya 62mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/2000
F-Stop: F/6.7
Flash: No
Tripod: No
Focal Length: 300mm
ISO: 400 |
red45, JeanMichel, gerhardt, matara has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
Composition: ****
Sharpness: ***
Color: ****
DOF: ***
POV: ****
Very good capture and framing.
Well done.
TFS.
- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(30243) - [2005-01-10 4:50]
-
I like your soaring birds very much Pam! This one has got great composition and pose. Very calm and beautiful picture.
I love your gannets !!! mine just sat on the ground.. Very sharp, nice colours, good action photo.. well done
-
- willie
(2083)
- [2005-01-10 11:03]
-
Stunning Pam. Great work. Keep it up
-
- asfur
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 72 W: 0 N: 33]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
(535) - [2005-01-10 12:06]
-
beautiful bird..
very good sharpness, colours
well done.
This is your best one, Pam. Wings position and slightly tilted head are perfect here. Just a bit soft to my taste, but a superb flying attitude and a very graceful bird.
I love the pose of this one Pam. SUch a nice shot. I still battle with the in-flight shots and you do this frequently. Well done.
-
- Janice
(18648)
- [2005-01-11 3:58]
-
Each one is better and better Pam. This could be the one I saw off Kawau Island on Sunday - I told him to fly back home to Muriwai.
Excellent sharpness, composition, etc., etc.
-
- japie
(5187)
- [2005-01-11 22:34]
-
He is even looking at you! The composition here is great and the sharpness excellent.
Very well done and thanks for posting
-
- azulu
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 111 W: 0 N: 75]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(374) - [2005-01-16 18:13]
-
Very nice shot. Beautiful colors and sharpness. Congratulations.
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 190 W: 22 N: 518]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-n.gif)
(2009)