Flying (Almost) Blind

[Tronhard]

This shot was taken at the gannet colony located at Muriwai on the west coast of N.Z.'s North Island about 45km from downtown Auckland. As such it is the most accessible colony in the world, with car parking and even a cafe within a few hundred metres of the colony.

So... This is the crop of a shot taken hand-held of a flying gannet carrying nesting materials. The poor fellow was distracted by the seaweed flapping into his eyes, and his landing was more of a controlled crash than anything else.



Details. Canon 7DMkII, EF-70-300 f4-5.6 II USM @ 189mm, f/8, 1/1000sec, ISO-200

The lightning fast focusing system of this lens made images like this much easier to get. The nano tech is definitely a huge improvement and I hope will appear in the newer lenses - maybe even RF lenses as a matter of course.

[billtils]

Nice story telling Trev

[mugge]

A very unusual shot, Trev.
Cheers Ole

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[vaez]

wonderful image
Is this bird carrying something to its nest with its beak?

Is this a bird's nail model?

[DanK]

A great capture. I do a very small amount of bird photography, mostly at a local refuge, and that experience has left me in awe of people who get captures like this.

[bje07]

Very good shot.
Is it a haloween mask?

[Rita]

Good shot and I love the commentary. Any images of the landing 😊 ?

[Tronhard]

Good shot and I love the commentary. Any images of the landing  ?

Hi Rita: Sadly no, there were too many other people blocking the view on the platform for me to maneouvre - even more tragically most of them had no idea about the birds and were simply intent on taking selfies.

[Tronhard]

A great capture. I do a very small amount of bird photography, mostly at a local refuge, and that experience has left me in awe of people who get captures like this.

Thanks Dan: that is much appreciated.

[Tronhard]

wonderful image
Is this bird carrying something to its nest with its beak?

Is this a bird's nail model?

It is carrying red seaweed actually, and it is most likely a male at this part of the nesting cycle. I have made a separate post for you in the form of a photo essay - your students may find it interesting!

[Wavelength]

Classic!!!

[vaez]

It is carrying red seaweed actually, and it is most likely a male at this part of the nesting cycle. I have made a separate post for you in the form of a photo essay - your students may find it interesting!

Dear friend
Thanks for the good explanation
This algae clings to her face as if she's part of it
Where can I read the article on this post

[Cantab]

This shot was taken at the gannet colony located at Muriwai on the west coast of N.Z.'s North Island about 45km from downtown Auckland. As such it is the most accessible colony in the world, with car parking and even a cafe within a few hundred metres of the colony.

So... This is the crop of a shot taken hand-held of a flying gannet carrying nesting materials. The poor fellow was distracted by the seaweed flapping into his eyes, and his landing was more of a controlled crash than anything else.



Details. Canon 7DMkII, EF-70-300 f4-5.6 II USM @ 189mm, f/8, 1/1000sec, ISO-200

The lightning fast focusing system of this lens made images like this much easier to get. The nano tech is definitely a huge improvement and I hope will appear in the newer lenses - maybe even RF lenses as a matter of course.

Trev, I've not heard of nano technology in the context of focussing. Is it new or have I simply not been paying attention?

[Tronhard]

Trev, I've not heard of nano technology in the context of focussing. Is it new or have I simply not been paying attention?

Hi Bruce: Great to get your post!

The following review of the Canon EF 70-300 MkII f4-5.6 may be of assistance:
https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_70-300_4p0-5p6_is_ii_usm

[Cantab]

Trev, thanks for the link. I checked online with the local store here for the price and saw that there's a superficially similar L series lens at considerably more than double the price. If you have both in your camera arsenal, have you had an opportunity to compare the two lenses?