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Thread: Providence petrel

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Default Providence petrel

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    One of my target birds when I went to Lord Howe Island was to see the providence petrel. I first read about the providence petrels in the iconic book "The Fatal Shore" which is about the birth of Australia and the brutal history of Britain's convict transportation system. I was not a birder or bird photographer when I read the book 20 years ago but I felt tremendous sadness when reading about the Providence Petrel. It's fate struck a chord in me at the time and I have always remembered that bird.
    They are called Providence Petrel because they provided the only food to the transported convicts from England when they landed on Norfolk Island in the late 1700's. The petrels were exterminated on Norfolk Island between 1790 and 1800. One million adults and young were harvested for food from 1790-1793 and numbers dropped to 15,000 by 1796, with complete extermination by 1800.
    Today, other than a few pairs that nest on Norfolk Island, and more recently a few pairs on Phillip Island, 99.9% of the world population of providence petrels nest on Mount Gower on Lord Howe Island.~32,000 pairs. They are considered vulnerable.
    Taken during a pelagic trip.
    Canon 1 DX 100-400mm II
    ISO 1250 SS 1/3200 F 6.3
    Cropped to vertical. Nothing added or cloned.
    Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks.

  2. #2
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    I will go read bout that massacre... So this bird caught my eye when i laid my eyes on his/her eye! I love the HA, beautiful wing spread and lovely pillowy and wispy clouds. What a wonderful bird to see as well as capture. So glad i got to see this bird thru your lens! Super Gail...

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    Another winner Gail! Ditto Ann's comments...love that beak. Didn't know you had the 100-400ii lens. Have you used the 1.4x extender for bif? opinions on that combo?

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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    Congratulations on getting this vulnerable bird, and thanks for the story. Great wing spread and flight angle. I might have given just a bit more room on the left.

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    Hi Gail. Wonderful capture of this remarkable bird, and great accompanying information. Perfect look at this amazing bird. Sounds as if you had a great trip, and looking forward to more images.

    Geoffrey




    http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I love the image and the story (I read Fatal Shores, years ago).
    Details are nice, sky is lovely, far wing could be better I guess,
    but I would have this in a second...
    Dan Kearl

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    I love the perspective here and shooting with a shorter lens has helped nicely. Shooting angle would normally be a bit steep but I think the BG nullifies it on this occasion.

    Nice bit of info as well

    Mike

  8. #8
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    It would be hard to imagine a better image of this species that I have never even heard of before.

    with love, artie
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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  9. #9
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    Strong portrait of a rare bird. Exciting!

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