Gannet with nesting material

[William Dickson]

Canon 5D Mk3
f/4 500mm with 1.4
f/7.1
1/3200
ISO 640

I went to the Bass Rock this morning which has the worlds largest colony of Northern Gannets, over 150,000 of them. Fortunately for me, it is only 90 mins from my house. Unfortunately for me, after being cloudy all week, today was bright sunshine with no clouds. Not the best for white bird photography Anyway I got a few hundred shots from the boat I was in. The BG is the rock covered in gannets.

Thanks for looking

Will

[dennis greenwood]

I quite like that image, cant make my mind up about the blue sky in the corner and if it would finish the image off without it or not but I like the contrast and tones ,also well exposed with added interest with the material its carrying

[dankearl]

Whites are hot, wings not ideal and I would clean up the LHC.
The nesting material is interesting but not enough for all the drawbacks for me.....

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

The light was not kind, but you handled it well enough.
Have you checked the histogram of the RAW file? See if it is blown, but it kind of looks pretty close to whitest of whites at 255. I cannot tell you without looking at the RAW histogram though.
I like the blue, makes the monotony of the rest of the BG more interesting. A lower shooting angle would've been better.
Thanks for sharing Will!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Will, a subject I am really trying to photograph - there location is just too far for the opportunity. The feather detail is showing up well enough on the near wing, and far underwing. Always love those colours on their faces, and good to see his nesting material.

As a matter of interest, when driving to a 'distant' location, do you leave early to get to your location at first light, or a casual drive to get there stress free.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent flight image with the nesting material in the beak, Will. We also have a large nesting colony in Quebec Canada. Unfortunately for me it is two day drive away.

[William Dickson]

Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated. Dan, I don't think the whites are 'hot'. Hi Stu, I have to go when the boat is available, and unfortunately, it was not available early morning. I wished it had been, or late evening, would have been better.

Will