It has to be because I did my doctoral work on the Black-legged Kittiwakes. This adult was feeding off Barachois, Gaspé Peninsula, Québec. The capelin had just arrived inshore and kittiwakes, large gulls and gannets were feeding right offshore. The light was sweet as the sun went down and we had the long beach all to ourselves. What a place.
Cropped, ran NR on the BG and sharpened the subject. Comments welcome!
12 June, 2011, Time: 1948h
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, 700 mm, tripod
Program: Aperture Priority
ISO 400, 1/1600s, f/6.3
Exp. comp.: +0.3
Flash: off,
A good job I think on your favorite species. Good exposure, composition and feather definition throughout the tonal range. The tip of the proximal wing is not as sharp as the body of the bird, but that is to be expected for a bird in motion. The one thing that might have made the image better would be the absence of the strong shadow on the distal wing, over which you of course had no control.
Nice light, HA, and sharpness. IMO it could use a bit more room in front. The one thing that bugs me is that we can't see the tip of the far wing; of course you didn't have any control over that.
Beautiful light and bird, John. Like the underwing detail, and whites look nice. Don't think I have ever seen a Kittiwake before, they look like they are closely related to gulls. Agree about maybe a bit more space on Rt.. Nicely done!
Brendan- Kittiwakes are indeed gulls. They are strictly marine and do not venture inland to feed on garbage dumps like many other gulls. They are occasionally found on freshwater systems inland as vagrants.