Pigeon Guillemot with prey

[Dorian Anderson]

First frame/outing in 2 months!

Not many birds around here right now, but I dragged the kayak+camera out when I hit major block while writing yesterday.

Lighting sucked, but I went anyway since I needed a break. This species is under-respected/under-represented in the photo realm,
so I was happy with the result. Was VERY hard to keep bird centered in frame with both it and me bobbing in chop. Hence he's
a bit close to right hand side.

Off to lead a 12-day birding tour in Colombia on Friday. Also staying for a week on my own afterward to shoot. Will be a needed break.......

Canon 600mm f/4 IS II + 1.4x on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/2500 at f/5.6, ISO 1600, handheld in boat
Processed in LR CC without trickery

181955

[dankearl]

A very nice species, excellent angle, i think the image could go tad brighter.

[kevin Hice]

This is a beautiful picture.Love the fish prey. For me over the top. I for one find it hard to go out in dismal conditions.Not for the hardship but thinking won't get much action or never will look as good as you get in good soft light.Details HA and sharpness are good. TFS

[Dorian Anderson]

A very nice species, excellent angle, i think the image could go tad brighter.

Haha! Agree 100%. I actually brightened it just after I posted this shot!

[Colin Driscoll]

Good result in any conditions let alone so poor. Fish in the bill adds value. Safe travels.

[Arthur Morris]

I love the low perspective, the fish, the perfect head turn, and the image.

a

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love that the prey item is facing towards us and its face easily seen. Nice low angle from the kayak. Yes to brightening the frame but I see you have done so on your personal file afterwards. I love, and many times prefer, "lighting suck" conditions, especially from mid-morning to late afternoon....there is always something fun to photograph, and much less people around :-) Although with 1/2500s., the lighting surely was not that bad (this spring has been a 1/200s. kinda season for us):t3.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

I like this capture in the conditions you describe, Dorian. Like the drops of water on his back, and of course the, what looks to be a Scorpion fish in the beak.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu (http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu)

[John Mack]

You did very well in the situation you described. The low angle is nice. Detail on the bird looks pretty good and nice view of that fish.

[Tim Foltz]

Sweet shot my friend the prey is a BIG bonus here.

-Tim

[gail bisson]

Love the prey! Looks so cool looking at us like that.
Great low POV and the blacks look good and will rock once yu increase exposure by 1/3.
Gail

[Alex Becker]

Really lovely shot Dorian. I agree with the above comments, and agree that the prey item adds a ton. I love that we can see some red on the foot and the mouth, that bit of color really adds for me. Really nice, TFS