The Clonk

I just got back from a great two-week Galapagos trip. This one was one of my favorites. Waved Albatross on Hood Island with the 7R iii, the 1.4X TC, and the handheld SONY 100-400 at 479mm. ISO 800: 1/800 sec. at f/9.

The "clonk" is one of eight segments of this species' complex mating dance. Don't be shy; all comments are welcome.

To see 59 more favorites and learn which gear (SONY or Nikon?) I used more on the trip see the Galapagos 2019 Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT Report. SONY Over Nikon in the Archipelago blog post here.

with love, artie

Hey Artie, Welcome back and what a stunner! I now am off to find some video somewhere to see the mating ritual, then to check out your blog. I love the sharpness, detail, the high key BG, and those long feathers over the eye! Fabulous. Nickerson awaits you, have fun.

for others to take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxkohBXdMA

Very nice image. I like the open bill and white color background

TFS

Perfect exposure, incredible detail. Absolutley love the "eyebrows!"

I like the open bill and the perfect white on white exposure. Looks sharp. Did you apply NR to the bird? details look a tad softened out by something also see a faint sharpening halo below the neck area.

TFS

This is terrific Artie. One of my favorites that you have posted.
IQ rocks and the exposure is perfect.
Best part is the eyebroww.
Very well seen and imaged,
Gail

The eye and the eyebrow are really cool...
Excellent portrait, amazing bird.
A tiny thing I would do is bring out just a bit more of the highlights in the
eye to give it a bit more life...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by annmpacheco

Hey Artie, Welcome back and what a stunner! I now am off to find some video somewhere to see the mating ritual, then to check out your blog. I love the sharpness, detail, the high key BG, and those long feathers over the eye! Fabulous. Nickerson awaits you, have fun.

for others to take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxkohBXdMA

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Thanks, Ann. And thanks for the link. I just added my 2016 Nature's Best-honored video made at the same location (in soft light) to today's blog post here. Check it out and LMK what you think.

with love, a

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gail bisson

This is terrific Artie. One of my favorites that you have posted.
IQ rocks and the exposure is perfect.
Best part is the eyebroww.
Very well seen and imaged,
Gail

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Thanks, Gail. I prayed hard for this one :)

with love, artie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dankearl

The eye and the eyebrow are really cool...
Excellent portrait, amazing bird.
A tiny thing I would do is bring out just a bit more of the highlight in the eye to give it a bit more life...

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Thanks, Dan. It was a very dull day and I believe that I added the small highlight that you see. I hate to go overboard when I do that ...

with love, a

Quote:

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Originally Posted by arash_hazeghi

I like the open bill and the perfect white on white exposure. Looks sharp. Did you apply NR to the bird? details look a tad softened out by something also see a faint sharpening halo below the neck area.

TFS

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Thanks, Arash. I will take a close look at the RAW file and get back to you. I am 99% sure that no NR was done on this image. The details look fine to me and to others here :)

with love, a

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

Thanks, Ann. And thanks for the link. I just added my 2016 Nature's Best-honored video made at the same location (in soft light) to today's blog post here. Check it out and LMK what you think.

with love, a

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Hey Artie, sorry i forgot all about your best Wave Albatross video, duhhhh, just watched it again, its fab!!!

Lovely image, Artie. Wonderful behaviour captured. Thank you for sharing.

Looks great. Love that open mouth. The detail looks spot on. Neat view of that tongue.

Oh boy, what a way to start posting about your fantastic trip! I love tight portraits, and this one checks all my boxes - and then some.