Guillemot 'Courtship'

[Steve Kaluski]

I don't think she was too impressed with this bit of vegetation on offer, but it gave some amusing moments as the wind would blow it about, when dropped. No catchlight added, it's as shot.

They have an almost 'sleek' plumage, with fine detail.

For Jon Ashton - this was on Staple island past the lighthouse on the corner, so with the fence wires protecting both subjects and 'photographers' from falling you had to go tight to avoid the 'wires' creeping in.

Steve

Subject: Guillemot (Uria aalge) courtship
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
Lens: 200-400f/4 HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/11 ISO2000
Original format: Portrait, slight crop at the foot, almost FF on the width
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2017

[John Mack]

Like the sharp focus on the front bird. The little piece of vegetation is nice. Maybe just a tad too tight all around. But like you said you had to got tight to avoid the wires.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Steve,

I see this species for the first time, thank you so much for sharing. Very neat image! Well exposed, perfectly framed, not too tight for me. Love the velvety brown feathers, that little touch of orange inside the beak, those deep set eyes. Great HA from both.
Unusual looking birds, I am quite taken with this and yes...a little jealous

Warmest regards,

[Jonathan Ashton]

Steve you have captured the delicate plumage beautifully. I find the OOF partner, nicely positioned, being "there" as it were, yet not distracting.
More than likely I saw this pair this week - may even have photographed them!

[Steve Kaluski]

Not sure if we compared the two images Jon we could tell, no distinguishing markings.

BTW Meant to ask, are you using Dust Spot removal now in ACR, are you around this morning?

[Jonathan Ashton]

Not sure if we compared the two images Jon we could tell, no distinguishing markings.

BTW Meant to ask, are you using Dust Spot removal now in ACR, are you around this morning?

Yes and yes!

[John Whaley]

It is a beautiful image. I like the interaction and the oof but not distracting partner. Tack focus and super fine feather detail. High IQ.

[arash_hazeghi]

lovely interaction and courtship shot Steve, the partner looks good too. I wonder if there was enough time to focus on the partner and make a composite but most likely impossible in the short interaction time

TFS