Australasian Gannet
An australasian gannet returns to its partner and nest.
An australasian gannet returns to its partner and nest.
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Mar, 2016Views
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Contest Finalist in Anything Birds Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wings in Motion Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Call Of The Wild Photo Contest
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Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 21 Photo Contest
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sarahdarvill
December 16, 2016
You should enter this in my Birds in Flight photo challenge!
The link is:
https:// viewbug.com/challenge/free-as-a-bird-photo-challenge-by-sarahdarvill
The link is:
https:// viewbug.com/challenge/free-as-a-bird-photo-challenge-by-sarahdarvill
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Behind The Lens
Location
This Photo was taken at the Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand) Australasian gannet (takapu) colony. They are usually found in large colonies on offshore island around New Zealand and southern Australia and have been nesting at Cape Kidnappers since the 1870s.Time
I had taken the last trip of the day out to the colony in hope of some nice evening light. This image was taken around 5pm just before sun set behind meLighting
I needed enough light as I wanted to use a fast shutter speed to freeze the incoming gannet. I knew that in the evening the light would be behind me and would so I would not be looking into it.Equipment
This image was taken with a Canon 5D mk3 with a Sigma 70-200 f 2.8 lens. It was hand held at 200mm f6.3, 1/5000th Sec & ISO 250.Inspiration
When I arrived at the colony I could see that the gannets were flying in from the right and landing back at there nests. Just before they landed they would hover above there nest and partner. There wings were spread out and I knew straight away that this was the image I wanted to capture. I positioned my self so that I could follow the incoming gannets and tried to focus on them as they came into there nests. After about 30 to 40min of trying I finally got the image I was after. The interaction between the two gannets was a nice bonus and really makes the image.Editing
I have done very little post processing to this image, a little cropping and enhancements to the colors and reducing the highlights is about it.In my camera bag
This image was taken back in 2012 so my equipment has changed a bit since then. I am still using the Canon 5D mk 3 and the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 bt I have added a Canon 400mm F2.8 Mk 2, Canon 14mm f.8. This is the main equipment I use for wildlife images. I like getting close and using the 14mm as it give a different POV and perspective to wildlife images that are not usually captured.Feedback
I have found the key to wildlife image is to understand your subjects. Before I take images I usually just observe my subjects to try and learn there patterns and habits. I then I try and get into there environment. Sometimes I will just try and sit in there environment until the subjects accepts me and knows I am not a danger to them, this may take 30 to 45 mins. Once this happens it is amazing how close the subjects will come to you and you are able to capture some nice images of the subjects in there normal behavior and environment. You also need a lot of patients, I once waited 3 hours for the tide to come in and bring the kingfishers close enough to me before I got the image I was after :)
