Common Murre

[Axel Hildebrandt]

There haven't been many images of this species here on the forum, so I thought I would share this one. Photographed on Machias Island last week. I removed one catchlight.

http://www.pbase.com/axelhi/image/114811585/original.jpg

1D3, 500f4, 1/800s, f/11, ISO 400, fill flash

[Mike Tracy]

I like the nice erect stance. The browns on his head and neck are gorgeous. Appears that the whites on the breast are perfectly exposed with loads of detail. The blue in the background really isolates him. I might entertain the idea of toning down a wee bit just a few of the brighter spots on the rock.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Really cool stance, as if it were a sentry. Nice details Axel. Love the blue BG too. Light seems a touch strong, but you did a great job handling. Exp is perfect.

[Fabs Forns]

Very nice pose and great EXP. How did you use the flash from the blind?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very nice pose and great EXP. How did you use the flash from the blind?

In portrait mode and with the right angle, fill flash worked once in a while.

[Fabs Forns]

Thanks, Axel, good to know :)

[denise ippolito]

Axel, Thankyou for posting one of these. I have never seen one. They are beautiful birds. Details and exposure look great. I like the pose and HA. I love the chocolate brown head.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Very beautiful Axel, interesting that you shot in portrait mode. Was that for the blurring of the BG? Fill flash off the camera?? Anyways very sharp details and good HA, nice catchlight in the eye too.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very beautiful Axel, interesting that you shot in portrait mode. Was that for the blurring of the BG? Fill flash off the camera?? Anyways very sharp details and good HA, nice catchlight in the eye too.

Thanks, Jackie! I was very close to the bird, the image is about 90% of full frame, hence the portrait mode and it was the only way the flash could get to the bird, the holes in the blind are rectangular (horizontally) and I had the flash attached to the camera body.

[Ramon M. Casares]

How amazing can nature be...? Just take a look at this fantastic bird!!! I am speachless...
Great pose, light, exposure, detail, perch, BG and colors.
Big congratulaitons!

[David Hemmings]

What a superb image of this rarely posted species, nothing not to like!

[Ilija Dukovski]

Ah, my nemesis bird, yet to see one. The pose is picture perfect for an auk.
I don't have to say anything about exposure and B/W balance. I also like the rock
a lot. Nice!

[Raymond Barlow]

Beauty Axel, nice technique, and details are sweet.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Great looking fellow!

Love the composition here and the combination of colors, especially the BG, white breast and brown bird.
I believe that the lightest part of the rock could be tone down a little.

[Harshad Barve]

Absoulte rocking image this is , what a bird, BG , and pose
TFS
Harshad

[Brian Barcelos]

Love this one Axel, exposure is spot on and the colors are just beautiful, especially the blue BG. This one is a winner. Congrats

Brian

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent pose and a super HA well captured and exposed.

[Stu Bowie]

Its always good to see other birds from the other side of the world. Super pose, and good control on the whites. I like the detail and colours on the head, and thanks for sharing Axel.

[Judd Patterson]

As others have said, this is a classic pose. The fill flash was just right...great work in tough circumstances! I just love the blue background too.

[Markus Jais]

Great shot of this species. Fantastic blue BG and great exposure of the white plumage.

Markus

[Ryan Lambert]

All been said, this is a super image Axel, the blue in the bg really off-sets the subject very well. I have never seen this bird before, thanks for sharing.

[Simon Bennett]

Ecellent - I like the pose, exposure control, crisp presentation and the glorious blue background.

[Grace Scalzo]

Superbly captured, you really know how to use the tools! Love the stance.

[Rich Steel]

Hi Axel

Great exposure and sharpness on this bird. Looks like you were dealing with some harsh light and the flash balanced it out very well. We call them guillemots over here but I assume they are the same bird. We get some which are known as 'bridled' which have white around the eye and white running along the groove behind the eye.

Cheers

Rich

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Hi Axel

Great exposure and sharpness on this bird. Looks like you were dealing with some harsh light and the flash balanced it out very well. We call them guillemots over here but I assume they are the same bird. We get some which are known as 'bridled' which have white around the eye and white running along the groove behind the eye.

Cheers

Rich

Thanks, Rich! It is the same species, just a different name, I have no idea why, though. We have black guillemots but that is a completely different species. In case you are interested, here is a link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Guillemot/lifehistory

I saw some of the bridled kind on Machias Island, too. They are not as common in Maine, most of them nest further north.

[Morkel Erasmus]

stunning capture. the clarity and detail in the shot is exquisite.

[Glenn Bartley]

This is wicked Axel!

[Rod Wiley]

I like it very much, I'd probably clone out the droppings on the side of the rock. Great exposure.Rod

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like it very much, I'd probably clone out the droppings on the side of the rock. Great exposure.Rod

Thanks, Rod! I don't think these are droppings, I will check the RAW file to make sure.