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Thread: Black Legged Kittiwake

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    Default Black Legged Kittiwake

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    Hello, thought I would share a rare sighting here in Michigan. A ways away from his home which is normally the Atlantic Ocean. Shot this morning near Lake Michigan on a channel which flows into the lake. I have never seen this bird before but he was drawing a crowd of birders to check him out.

    7D, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/1250, iso 200, +1.

    Gary, thanks for looking and comments appreciated.

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    Yes Gary, a nice first year bird, or to be more specific, a chick from 2010. Many years ago, these were called "tarrocks" and thought to be a separate species of gull. I've seen them occasionally at Niagara Falls in November, which is a great place for gulls. One day we had 13 species!

    This is a beautiful image and shows off the traits of the tarrock nicely. I like the placement of the bird in the frame, the background and the great head angle. You were fighting (as we all do) harsh light, but you did a darn fine job of rendering the bird.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Good image of this rarity for your parts. The top view of the wings shows nice fieldmarks, and I love the cloudy BG.

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    Thanks John I appreciate that. The temps in the 20's and the 30 mph winds coming from the north kept this little guy in the water till the light got a little harsh. Then he was all about flying. This is what I love about photography, we can take them home with us.

    Gary.

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    Nice image and you did well to get both blue sky and textured clouds in the BG.

    Bill

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    I too like the placement of the bird in the frame, with a good banking angle. The clouds adds so much more to the BG. Congrats on your rare sighting.

  7. #7
    Ofer Levy
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    I like this a lot! Beautifully composed image.

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