Blue-eyed Shag - habitat

[Jay Gould]

Zodiak cruising around Paulett Is. we came across this Shag attempting to get up onto the berg. If I recall correctly we watched at least two "splats" :eek: against the leaning edge of the berg before watching this third failed attempt. Actually, it was hilarious - at the Shag' expense!

As we are crusing everyone has cameras at the ready and as soon as you see a seal, penguin, shag you hear the shutters firing away. Checking the histogram bewtween bursts while I would have wanted a faster SS, with ISO 200 to tame the highlights and a minimm f/5.6 I was stuck with 1/1000.

Camera: 7D
Capture date/time: 16 Jan 10; 90AM
Light condition: sunny
Lens: 70-200 f/4
Focal length: 98mm
Distance: 13 m
Extender: 1.4
Tube: none
Flash/Comp: no
ISO: 200
Exp Prog: Tv
Speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Exp Comp: +1 1/3
Metering: Partial
WB: Auto
AF Drive: AI Servo
Tripod: no
Filter: None
Crop: 20%

Changes to image: one pixel catchlight added.

Processed in LR 3 (beta) and then CS4 - plus Topaz Suite and Pixel Genius Sharpening.

All C&Cs gratefully appreciated!

[Harshad Barve]

Beautiful image Jay , love that pose , iceberg and splashing water, IMHO , if this was mine , I would have cropped from edge of iceberg on LHS and top ,
TFS

[Jay Gould]

Beautiful image Jay , love that pose , iceberg and splashing water, IMHO , if this was mine , I would have cropped from edge of iceberg on LHS and top ,
TFS

Hi and thanks! I did a small crop to take it to where it is so as to show the shape of the berg and give it context. How would you do more?

[Harshad Barve]

May be something like this , Off course this crop is my personal choice and taste

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Jay

I'm having a sensory overload with these images form your trip !!! So Sweet !!!

I like the tighter crop and just wish the bird was further left in frame but big time appealing as presented Colors and shapes are captivating, can't take my eyes from the image !!! Big Congrats !!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi jay - AL and Harshad have it covered - like this a lot, great feel.
TFS

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Techs covered by the pros. But it is truly a beautiful capture.