<< Previous Next >>

Takapu


Takapu
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3975 W: 518 N: 8120] (27582)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 400, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-15 0:30
Viewed: 996
Points: 20
[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.

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.

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 1D Mk lll
Time of day: 17:20 p.m.
Date: 2nd January 2008
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS USM
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/500
F-Stop: F/11
Focal Length: 400mm
Support: Hand Held
ISO: 200
mariki, Janice, haraprasan, Miss_Piggy, marhowie, horia, dB_grafix, jeanpaul 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
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hello Pam,

Very nice picture of this gannet. Excellent POV. Good focus. Great light. Very nice colours. Excellent background.
Very well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3471 W: 145 N: 5986] (17916)
  • [2008-02-15 0:51]

Kia ora Pammy te whangaparaoa.
Kei te pēhea koe?
Awesome, awesome shot - Ka pai, ka pai. . .
Is all ka pai with you and your whanau?
Ka Kite ano...
Janice, pakeha of Aotearoa

Hi Pam,
A lovely capture of this gannet. Excellent flying action shot with very good timing, superb details and a fine composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hallo Pam
Pleased to meet you. I have read a lot about you in some of Janice's notes. Maybe one day, I'll also accomplish in taking a bird soaring in the sky. Up to date I only had near misses, and I really admire people that succeed in these shots. This Gannet has a beautiful wingspan, and you were very lucky to be equipped with your camera and all at the right time. You have managed to capture this bird in flight in perfect pose and the visible details are unbelievable. This bird's plumage looks so soft and smooth, and I must admit I like the shape of the beak. . Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed this one.
Kind regards
Anna

This is a very nice POV Pam, and it's well composed.
The color and detail looks great, a well managed exposure also.
These birds are beautiful inflight, I must admit :)
And thanx again for the heads-up..
I'm still waiting for Canon to call me for an appointment/time to send it in :(
Howard

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2171 W: 231 N: 4052] (13473)
  • [2008-02-15 5:16]

Hi Pam

Nice to see another shot from you! Hope you are doing well (as much as can be expected) :)
This is a splendid shot from my favorite bird from down there.
I really find these gannets gorgeous in every detail that they have...heck, i even like their Latin name a lot :)
I very much like the light in your photo here - probably not the easiest one to shoot in due to the angle but one that made the subject look great!
Wonderful colors, excellent details and very well sense of speed given by the motion blur on the tip of its wings.
Lovely work!

Bravo and TFS and again Best wishes!
Horia

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7979)
  • [2008-02-15 8:28]

Hi Pam,

Your timing is just right . The gannet is a real artist in the air and I like to see it diving.You made a wonderful crop. TFS.

regards,
Zeno.

Hi Pam,
I see you have had some fun chasing Gannet through the sky. I feel having Oaia Island in the back ground a little distracting. Was the slow shutter speed deliberate? TFS.

Hi Pam.
Oops...been so long for me to see your images.
The lighting on this gannet is incredible. Also it is nice to see something in the background rather than just a blue sky. Your hand held capabilities sure worked here. Thanks for sharing.
D

Salut Pam
Bonne photo avec beaucoup de détails. Un belle éclairage et une belle prise de vue.
Merci et bonne journée...JP

Ciao Pam,
another wonderful shot!
Tfs
Angelo

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF