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Courting black-browed albatrosses

On my trip to Antarctica I also visited the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. While most of the blackbrowed albatrosses were already taking care of their chi...
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On my trip to Antarctica I also visited the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. While most of the blackbrowed albatrosses were already taking care of their chicks these two were still busy courting.
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Jul, 2017

Views

115

Likes

Awards

Peer Choice Award

Top Choice

+14

Absolute Masterpiece

+11

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Emotions

Happy

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I was on a trip to The Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica and this photo was taken on New Island, one of The Falkland Islands. It was a large breeding colony of blackbrowed llbatrosses, rock hopper penguins and imperial shags. There were birds with chicks and birds that were still courting like this pair. They were completely undisturbed by the people that visited the colony. I always try not to be in the way of wildlife anyway.

Time

It was taken in the middle of the say. When you're on a trip like this you just can't influence the time of day. You just have to deal with any circumstances that occur and make the best of it.

Lighting

I tried to make use of some clouds to get some overcast lighting, but as said there is not a lot you can do other than make the best of the situation. It's an awesome experience to be there and you just need to challenge yourself.

Equipment

The picture has been taken a while ago. I used a Sony Alpha 700, a 70-200mm f2.8 Sony lens and a 2.0 converter, handheld.

Inspiration

This courting couple attracted my attention amidst all these couples with chicks. Of course I also took a lot of pictures of the birds with chicks, but I took my time to wait for the right pose of these birds.

Editing

As I photograph in Raw I did some postprocessing, but not very much. I wanted to get the colors exactly how I saw them and I tried to get some more detail in the eye and in the white of the feathers. I did a little bit of sharpening, but that was about it.

In my camera bag

Nowadays, usually 2 cameras: a Canon 1D mark IV and a Canon 7D. When I aim for macro I change the 7D for a Canon 60D. I have a 70-200mm f2.8 Tamron lens, a 150-600 mm Tamron lens, a 17-50mm f2.8 Tamron lens and a 90mm Tamron macro lens. When I know I want to get real close to birds or wildlife I take my Canon 600mm f4 with me with a 1.4 and a 2.0 converter. I sometimes take my Canon 300mm f4 and/or my Canon 50 mm f1.8 with me depending on what I'm aiming for.

Feedback

For this kind of image you have to be patient and observant. Don't have your camera in front of your eyes all the time. Enjoy the moment as well and look around, especially with so many animals around you. You might miss beautiful behaviour if you are obsessed with taking pictures. But if you find something interesting try to focus on that for a while.

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Courting black-browed albatrosses

On my trip to Antarctica I also visited the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. While most of the blackbrowed albatrosses were already taking care of their chi... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow bettylouluijken

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On my trip to Antarctica I also visited the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. While most of the blackbrowed albatrosses were already taking care of their chi...
Read more

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