Galapagos #5: Yawning Frigatebird Chick

[Arthur Morris]

This image was captured during out incredible landing at Tower Island (Genovesa) on the recently concluded Galapagos Cruise. Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/500 sec. at f/13. Here with the large dark adult in the background added only 1/3 stop of light to the suggested exposure to avoid burning the white feathers.

See the July 22 blog entry for more on this world class site.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[Randy Stout]

Artie:

What a mouth! I like the fuzzy do, eye contact and exposure.

To my eye, the chicks eyes and forehead aren't as sharp as the adults wing, and the chicks back. Even parts of the foreground look sharper. My guess would be slight motion blur here.

Charming photo.

Randy

[James Salywoda]

This is great Artie it put a smile on my face when I opened it up what an expression captured by the chick great timing.

[Kiran Poonacha]

just loved the expression capture in the pic guru, also the parents feathers adds well to the frame..

[denise ippolito]

Fantastic open mouth and it's nice to see the adult inc. in the frame. I might sharpen the chicks eyes also.

[Grace Scalzo]

Agree that the eyes aren't sharp, but I think that the story here is all about that gaping mouth which is really cool looking. Adult's feathers add an interesting, but not distracting, element. What a treat! Thanks for sharing this.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I selectively sharpened the chick's eyes, head, and mouth. I considered doing some eye doctor work on the eyes from the beginning and again now but declined as you cannot even see the pupil or the iris, just some reflections of the sky...

[Rachel Hollander]

Artie - Amazing capture.

TFS,
Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

I like the angled head, and of course theclose up of the open beak puts this over the top. Your repost does look much better.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Not crazy about the Bg , but the expresion makes it priceless.

[Arthur Morris]

What BKGR???