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View Full Version : There's What on My Beak?


Richard Waas
10-10-2009, 03:15 PM
I finally unpacked the 500mm and used it for the first time. I photographed this image with my Canon 5D Mk II at the Metro Zoo today. Since it was high noon I used the circular polarizer. ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, -1.0 EV, EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x extender, 700mm, Evaluative Metering, Auto Exposure, Auto WB, No Flash. Comments Welcome.
carole wiley
10-10-2009, 03:41 PM
Great detail, nice BG, exposure looks good...you are going to love this lens.
Alfred Forns
10-10-2009, 04:51 PM
It is a sweet lens and looks like your putting it to good use !!!

Love the framing, exposure and overall feel !!! Big Congrats !!
Lance Peters
10-10-2009, 05:02 PM
Congrats on the lens - Exposure is on the money, Composition is good -Big Congrats.

What is on his beak??? Haven't seen before.
Gus Cobos
10-10-2009, 06:43 PM
Hey Mr. Wass,
It was a pleasure shooting with you at the zoo today...:) Your portrait of Mr. Pelican is excellent...no more no less...love your new toy...:cool:
Thanaboon Jearkjirm
10-11-2009, 08:55 AM
Excellent details and sharpness, a really good portrait. Seem like you had a great time with your new toy.
Jackie Schuknecht
10-11-2009, 07:48 PM
Nice BG, with good sharpness and colours Richard. What is on the beak??
Richard Waas
10-11-2009, 09:48 PM
Not sure whats on it's beak. Some sort of growth.... Looks weird.
Flavio Rose
10-12-2009, 06:38 PM
Per Sibley, American white pelicans grow a protuberance on the beak in breeding season. I've seen it and photographed it from afar, but never this close. Here is a photo found on the Web showing it:

http://www.naturspesialisten.no/functions/media_archive/show_picture.php?bilde=amerikan-white-pelican33_1181825104.jpg&os=linux&alt=american%20white%20pelican%20%28Pelecanus%20er ythrorhynchos%29&calculate=1

and some information from a book on the protuberance:

http://books.google.com/books?id=ta8VhJvjmvkC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=american+white+pelican+beak&source=bl&ots=XgiQ3mgzwq&sig=RbGcMMWj01sBkk7boH-lo4ETHN4&hl=en&ei=Q77TSuTUD9Hh8AbT6In0CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=american%20white%20pelican%20beak&f=false
Richard Waas
10-13-2009, 10:01 PM
Thanks Flavio for the info....... Now you've seen it up close too.