Royal Albatross #2

[Simon Bennett]

Royal Albatross photographed off Kaikoura, New Zealand. The black cutting edge on the bill helps distinguish this species from the Wandering Albatross.

Canon 40D, EF70-200mm f/4 IS @ 106mm, handheld, ISO400, evaluative, AV, f/8, 1/1250, ec -2/3, a bit cropped from the left.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely image showing the diagnostic features. Love the detail in the whites, light and reflection. Dark BG of water works perfectly. Did you see any Sperm Whales on the trip?

[Simon Bennett]

Tony, thank you for your comments, no Sperm Whales, only Dusky Dolphins, must admit I didn't take too much notice of them as I was way too focussed on birds.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Perfectly placed in the frame and fantastic control of exposure Simon! :) Did you see many different pelagics on this trip?

[Simon Bennett]

Thank you for your comments Akos , I went out on the 11 December 2008: you can see species recorded here:
http://www.oceanwings.co.nz/index.cf...ous&chartId=72

The Albatross Encounter boat trips are fantastic. The birds are quite close to shore over a deep trench. You go out in a fairly small jet boat, which allows photo opportunitie reasonably close to water level. The birds come in very close, indeed I regretted not taking my wide-angle lens.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great light, exposure control, details, head angle and eye contact. I'm a big fan of pelagic birds and really enjoy this series.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thank you for your comments Akos , I went out on the 11 December 2008: you can see species recorded here:
http://www.oceanwings.co.nz/index.cf...ous&chartId=72

The Albatross Encounter boat trips are fantastic. The birds are quite close to shore over a deep trench. You go out in a fairly small jet boat, which allows photo opportunitie reasonably close to water level. The birds come in very close, indeed I regretted not taking my wide-angle lens.

Thanks for the reply Simon. Wish you great light and fab birds! :)