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Australasian Gannet #3


Australasian Gannet #3
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-01-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Tamron 28-300XR, Hoya UV 62mm
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Gannets Of The World, Birds in Flight [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-05 4:22
Viewed: 2025
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Australasian Gannet
Following information taken from NZ Birds website.

Gannets generally mate for life and the presence of the male on the nest helps him renew contact with the female when she arrives. Young birds arrive last and are forced to establish nests on the colony's boundary or sometimes on a few inner sites left unoccupied by the death of older birds.

Once the pair bond is established, the male begins to gather material for the nest while the female defends the nest itself. Analysis at White Island and Cape Kidnappers has shown the nesting material to be of coarse brown seaweeds. The nest is constructed just beyond the pecking range of neighbours and during incubation the sitting bird's excreta cements and consolidates the nest structure.

A single egg is laid which may be replaced if broken or rolled out of the nest. Both the male and female incubate the egg in turn with the webs of both feet placed over the egg although towards the end of the incubation period of 42-44 days the egg is transferred to the top of the feet. The naked blind and helpless chick is fed by gurgitation by both parents; one guarding the nest while the other is out gathering food.

Banding of gannet chicks has provided information on the movements of young gannets and on their survival rates. The Australasian gannet migrates westward to the eastern and southern coasts of Australia. Some birds have been recorded as far away as northern Queensland and Freemantle in Western Australia. The perilous journey is taken without parental guidance on the young bird's first flight but as many as 30 per cent survive.

Immature gannets return to New Zealand when 2-5 years of age and breed from 4-7 years of age. With an estimated life span of 25-38 years, gannets are one of the longest living sea birds.

You can view my other Gannet images here and here

Image Information

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 11:34 a.m.
Weather conditions: Very overcast grey day
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
Janice, sandpiper2, red45, Fisher, Callie, Luc, marhowie, capaci has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-01-05 5:05]

Each Gannet looks better Pam. (And I notice your grey sky too! Surprise, surprise) You have captured this one so well showing how well they are built for flight and for diving into the waters. Very well done.

Very nice Pam.

Composition: ****
Sharpness: ***
Color: ***
DOF: ****
POV: ****

Great shot Pam, good details and framing.
TFS.

Spectacular shot Pam, this one is really good. My only critique is that I think the border is to thick. the compositionis very good and you've handled the white on grey background very well.

Great shot Pam.
This is your best Gannet IMO.
Very good sharpness, colours and exposure.
Great work.

A very nice shot. These are one of my favorite birds. I think a little more USM might be helpfull here.

Another wonderful capture, Pam. Your composition is well done. I find the frame abit thick, the font? Black Chancery, is classy, it's my favorite font.

Mike

10 out of 10. great work. TFS

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2005-01-05 16:17]

Hi Pam
Certain people just stay behind and can never catch-up I see 3 off lovely pics of your gannet from Down Under - they are rare vagrants to our shore, and lokk nearly identical. I actually have a slide looking 95% like this one, bar the good focus and texture you display here. This is a VERY good picture, I have tried getting them from time to time when at the coast, but never this good yet. Well done!

I love your Gannet serie Pam and this one is just great. Absolutley stunning flight shot!

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-06 2:40]

You are really capturing these Gannets expertly. The POV and composition is excellent.

Very well done and thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-01-06 4:11]

Great in-flight catch. I like pose and composition. Looks like you are better and better with your new Canon Pam :-)

Sorry but points tomorrow.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2005-01-06 4:13]

2005 its great flying start :).Composition and colour all good.Goood catch .
Only the thick border overbearing look.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-01-06 10:40]

Yes! Pam, keep them coming.
An excellent post: picture and note.
Thanks

Very nice Pam! Excellent photo quality..Some day in the hopefully not-too-distant future I hope to own a brighter lens that's fast & bright enough for this type of shot...Until then I'll just have to admire your great work!! Howard

great shot, wonderfull bird.
TFS

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