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Laysan Albatross
This bird was found on a barge in the Pacific. It is now residing in a rehabilitation center in Oregon, it suffered from dehydration. This female is nearly at the age of sexual maturity (six years). It is planned to be released, however, it is unknown whether or not it will successfully take flight. The release will take place off of the coast of Oregon.
What is unusual about this bird, is that it was born on Guadalupe Island off of the coast of Baja. Where there are only a few breeding pairs. More than 99% of Laysan breed on the Hawaiian Island of Laysan.
I am extremely happy to have been able to see this bird. It was my first sighting of a Laysan, and to be 12 feet away from it was something else. You really can't appreciate how large albatross are until they are right next to you. Unfortunately, since it is captive right now, I am not going to be counting it for my life list. Maybe when it is released I will count it, but that seems like cheating also. 
Seems to be suffering from compression. I think i'll go back through the edit and try to get a cleaner image. This bird's feathers where buttery smooth, and it doesn't properly show this. Any other CC is greatly welcomed, I might go back and photograph it again.
This bird is temporarily captive.
400mm|f5.6|ISO 400|1/30sec|Natural Lighting
Last edited by Evan Cain; 03-02-2014 at 09:38 PM.
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Hi Evan
This is a lovely portrait, but for me the bird is wedged into the frame way tooo tightly. It almost looks caged... I would like to see more space between the beak and the image border.. I also think its a bit dark, espc around the eye. Thanks for the story, very interesting, and I glad you got your chance to photograph this bird.
TFS
regards
DON.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Thanks Don,
I agree it needs some more room on the beak side, I was limited with only a 400mm in an extremely small enclosure. I didn't think that I was going to be forced that close since it is such a large bird. It was a bit frustrating, time was critical inside the enclosure (it was beak clapping at me), so i took a dozen shots and got out. I think I will try going back and get a looser shot. As far as the eye goes, that's what a Laysan looks like. Even with my naked eye from 12 feet away, I had trouble making out the edge. I could of course, pull the eye back (I tried that just to see), but that isn't what the bird looked like at all. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean.
thank you again :)
Evan
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Super Moderator
For some reason I cannot see the image?
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Originally Posted by
Daniel Cadieux
For some reason I cannot see the image?
I'm not sure why, I posted it the same as I always have. In any case, here is the link if other people have that problem. http://www.flickr.com/photos/townsendi/12894489874/
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Forum Participant
Great portrait. I really like the colours and tones you have in this image. I agree a little more space would have been nice but even without it this is a stunning image.
Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk
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Lifetime Member
This is one kick butt portrait. Why not extend the canvas a little on the left since it's black anyway? Very powerful and well done!