A Few Gannet BIFs

[NorthernFocus]

A few gannets shot at the Muriwai rookery. In flight the gannet is a model of aerodynamic efficiency looking like pure poetry in motion.

D7200, AFS 80-400mm(hand held) and 16-80mm for the landscape shot

1) The location.



For anyone who likes shooting BIF this is definitely a target rich environment. The location offers multiple potential backgrounds.

2) First the classic bird over the sea.



3) You could stay till you wear your camera out taking these BIFs.



4) Dark BG.



5) In front of cliffs.



6) And some different wing positions would be nice.



7)



If one pays attention it becomes evident that the birds pass through various flight patterns as winds shift etc. This can be taken advantage of for shooting opportunities. By doing so I was able to shoot what I'll refer to as in flight portraits, some at very modest focal lengths.

8) Shot at 120mm. Note the large webbed feet tuck completely out of the way(i.e. out of the airstream) in flight.



9) 210mm



10) 210mm



11) 210mm



12) 400mm

[John 2]

That's another cracking collection but 6,7and 8 are exceptional. Lovely stuff and under bright conditions as well.

[rpcrowe]

Beautiful shots of lovely birds...

[Tronhard]

Awesome range Dan, brilliant set of images!!!! You were there mid-afternoon?

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you guys liked the images.

...You were there mid-afternoon?

Trev, we stopped by twice. Both times arriving late afternoon/early evening and shooting the following morning as well. Both afternoons were sunny and both mornings were overcast. The second morning had brief sun very early.

[Shadowman]

Nice exposures and angles.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, John. As you can tell nos.9, 10, and 11 were shot from the same spot as the birds glided up to within a few feet of where I stood. It was one of the few times they paid any attention to human presence by obligingly looking towards the camera. That flight pattern/behavior only lasted a few minutes, long enough to shoot the passage of several birds.

[Wavelength]

Wow...they just amaze!!! That look in #10 is really funny

[bje07]

I prefer pictures wheres wings are not cut, otherwise you should crop a little more.
very good colors and sharpness indeed.

[Craigie]

A really nice set of images Dan.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice and clear set Dan

[madcrow]

Awesome series, every image better than the other. The sharpness, clarity and detail brilliant.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you guys enjoyed the post. Thanks for the comments.

I prefer pictures wheres wings are not cut....

Jean, up until a couple of years ago bird captures with clipped wings would have never even made it onto my computer. But on such large birds sometimes it is not possible to reveal the desired detail while keeping the entire wingspan framed. As with any form of photography it is up to us to use the camera to reveal what we desire in an image. Besides, it is mere prejudice with birds isn't it? With other species we don't hesitate to isolate head shots, etc. So now I've given myself license to treat birds the same. I realize it's not for everyone and may even be seen as mere heresy. But there you have it. I'm now a professed wing clipper when it suits my needs.