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Surfing in SA


Surfing in SA
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-09
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Skylight
Exposure: f/14.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Aquatic Birds - Aves Acuáticas, Birds of Southern Africa, 40 points or more - 40 puntos o más, Pelecaniformes (pelicans and relatives) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-18 5:26
Viewed: 4949
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I got wet taking this one! Sneaking up to these guys can be interesting especially when the surf is up! I left a large space in front of the bird to emphasize the wave.

Cape Cormorant (56)

A smallish marine cormorant often seen in large flocks flying in straggling lines over the sea. Size 61-65cms. This species is a bit larger than a Guineafowl. Afrikaans: Trekduiker

The Cape Cormorant is an all dark, sooty-black cormorant with a bright yellowish-orange area of skin on the chin and around the base of the bill. The bill is long and fairly slender, with a hooked tip to the upper mandible. It and the legs and feet are black. Immature birds are dull brown, with paler underparts. As with other cormorants, the tail is fairly short and stiff; the legs are short and the feet are fully webbed for swimming. Cape Cormorants have longish necks, which are usually held partially pulled back into an "S" shape.

The Cape Cormorant is a common bird of coastal waters - particularly in the Cape. Large flocks are usually seen travelling out to sea in long undulating skeins flying low over the water. These flocks return to their nesting cliffs again in the evenings. Smaller numbers are often seen feeding close inshore - particularly around harbours and estuaries.

Cape Cormorants feeds largely on fish, particularly pilchards and anchovies, but will also take crustaceans, mussels etc. which are caught under water.

This species requires islands and rocky cliffs to breed on, and is most common in the vicinity of nesting colonies. The nest is a shallow bowl of sticks and seaweed on rocky islands or floor of guano platform. They usually nest in dense colonies. Breeding takes place throughout the year, but there is a peak from September to October.
carper, ellis49, RAP, AndyB, PDP, milloup, nwoehnl, letr, Robbrown, alainh, Lesley, Callie, elihesam, Pedda, touristdidi has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Pedda: Thanksjapie 1 08-26 08:51
To Darren: Tripodjapie 1 08-18 09:00
To RAP: Cropjapie 1 08-18 06:51
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Critiques [Translate]

Beautiful capture Japie,
I like it. The bird is not whole in focus but I like the composition a lot, and your note is great, very good job Japie

Very nice Japie.
The composition is great and nice color.
The note is very good
Well done.

Wow... gran captura Japie.
Excelente perspectiva y colorido, le dan una idea de estar en la cima de una alta montaña.
Existe apenas un desenfoque, pero el resultado final es excelente.
Me atreví a realizar un trabajo... espero sea de tu agrado.

Wow... great capture Japie.
Excellent colorful and perspective, gives an idea him to be in the top of a high mountain.
It exists as soon as a defocusing, but the final result is excellent.
I dared to make a workshop... I hope you like it.

I love the composition here, it is not often you see crashing water as a background for a bird photo. Exposure seems very good as well. My only thought is that this is just a little soft. Did you use a tripod to support such a long lens? Good shot.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-08-18 9:04]

A very nice capture.
Composition is excellent and the power of the waves makes a great background.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-08-18 11:07]

Stunning composition, very powerful with the surf as a backdrop. Very well done Japie.

Nice capture, good details on the bird and excellent background. The bird looks as if he's wondering what on earth you were doing getting your feet wet there ;-))

This is a very nice composition Japie. I agree with Ricardo he looks like he is on top of a mountain. Bit soft on the focus but I like it. Thanx. Usual great detailed note.

Very nice one, Japie. Outstanding composition with the cormorant on the reddish rock, and a good use of DOF. Well done.

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-18 16:42]

quit an effort to take this shot Japie, but I think i was worth while, great waves in the BG and the contrast wit the the trekduiker makes this picture sublime !!

Oh very nice japie I love the hidden power of the surf behind it makes a great BG to this very sharpley captured bird and a good set of notes to boot.

A little like the view from a mountain top? Nice backdrop for your bird. I must say, it's not the most handsome one I've seen! Almost looks like one of our Texas Buzzards!!

Bonjour Japie,
tres belle capture. la lumiere sur l'oiseau est tres belle. et tu ne pouvais esperer un meilleur cadre pour cet oiseau. tres bon cadrage.
bien jolie photo
alain

Love the compositiion here...breathtaking.

What I like best about the shot is the angle that you achieved. Lovely composition, and great note. Well done.

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
  • [2004-08-19 13:40]

Japie
'n Mooi Kaypie! The Bird is isolated from the BG, enhancing the subject, the environment is there but not obtrusive and there is space for the subject to breath. Position in the frame strong. The exposure on the blacks is a bit off, maybe half a stop under exposure would have given you more detail on the black breast.

Nice capture and pose, Japie. These birds are particularly common on the Cape West Coast.

Japie..the bird look very unhappy..you must have upset him..say cheese.The DOF is great.the compositon is good,great contrast with the white cloud

Hi dear Japie!
Glad to see you again:)

A Wonderful bird you hunted,well done!and DOF perfectlly managed,what a nice background,I like it,very well composed as all of your shots(you creat a nice gallery,too,here).And well controlled the light ,too.
You did great,Japie!
Yours
Mohammad

  • Great 
  • Pedda Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 41 W: 1 N: 247] (1287)
  • [2004-08-25 16:21]
  • [+]

Nice angle on the picture. The composition is great. It looks like the wave is on it's way to drench the bird.

The note is perfect

The Commarant has a look on his faces, like he is lost in thought looking.

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