Helpful Posts Helpful Posts:  0
Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Gannets Galore

  1. #1
    Markvetnz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Whitianga, NZ
    Posts
    640
    Real Name
    Mark

    Gannets Galore

    I spent a few hours at a local gannet colony today. I was blessed with fantastic light.

    Gannets Galore

    Gannets Galore

    Gannets Galore

    Gannets Galore
    Click on images for larger view

  2. #2
    Moderator Donald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Glenfarg, Scotland
    Posts
    21,402
    Real Name
    Just add 'MacKenzie'

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Excellent stuff, Mark. They are fascinating birds, aren't they.

    I once sailed around the Cliffs of Noss on Shetland. The site of thousands of these things swirling overhead was quite awesome (what they did on your head wasn't quite so awesome, but worth it).

    You've really captured the majesty and beauty of them in flight. Have you got the chance to get them as they dive?

  3. #3
    jeeperman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Seattle Washington
    Posts
    3,550
    Real Name
    Paul

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Very nicely done Mark, you really did have some great light. I think the last one is my favorite.

  4. #4
    FrankMi's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
    Posts
    6,294
    Real Name
    Frank Miller

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Hi Mark, these are all fantastic but I don't believe I've ever seen a perfectly captured head-on image of a bird as good as your Coming At You.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Ontario (mostly)
    Posts
    6,667
    Real Name
    Bobo

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Beautiful birds beautifully taken. Great shots.

  6. #6
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Windsor, Berks, UK
    Posts
    16,737
    Real Name
    Dave Humphries :)

    Re: Gannets Galore

    I don't think anyone could better these Mark,

    Well done,

  7. #7
    epmi314's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Ann Arbor, MI
    Posts
    471
    Real Name
    Scott Benz

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Really, really wonderful images.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    SW France
    Posts
    96
    Real Name
    Mike

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Brilliant set of pictures Mark_great captures and the light is just wonderful.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    154
    Real Name
    Trev

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Stunning shots of one of my favourite sea birds

  10. #10
    Markvetnz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Whitianga, NZ
    Posts
    640
    Real Name
    Mark

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Thanks for all the positive comments. I never realised just how quickly they fly. I initially used a 400mm lens on a gimbal mount but it was hopeless. I eventually got these shots "hand held", which really tested my upper body strength. Next time I'll stop the lens down to increase the DOF to try and get waves exploding on rocks behind the birds.

    I took about 400 shots, of which maybe only a dozen are keepers.

    Donald, I'd love to capture them diving. Have you seen how they swim under water? They can get to a pretty decent depth.

    I'll post a few more group shots once I pp them. (Rugby to watch this weekend NZ vs France tonight)

    Cheers
    Mark

  11. #11
    speedneeder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Owensboro, KY
    Posts
    1,530
    Real Name
    Brian

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Quote Originally Posted by jeeperman View Post
    Very nicely done Mark, you really did have some great light. I think the last one is my favorite.
    Agree

  12. #12
    dje's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Posts
    4,636
    Real Name
    Dave Ellis

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Fantastic shots Mark - i don't know how you do it !

    Just finished looking at Colin's great Becalmed thread too - looks like you Kiwis and quasi-Kiwis (except for Rugby) are at it again. Is there something in the water there ??

    Cheers Dave

  13. #13

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Stockholm. Sweden
    Posts
    108
    Real Name
    Jim

    Re: Gannets Galore

    Wonderful shots and, as you said, the light is fantastic

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •