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Cormorant splashing

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted January 10, 201183 views10 comments

This was taken at the weekend when finally a little bit of light was available.

I am guessing that the Cormorant was cleaning itself as it repeated this splashing activity fairly frequently, without ever taking off or diving for food. Like I say that assumption is a guess so if you know why they do this then please let me know.

C&C welcome.

Canon 1dMK4, 800mm +1.4x, ISO400, f8, 1/1000

Cheers

Austin

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on January 10, 2011 at 3:20 PM

Very sharp considering the massive focal length and the fast action. I've seen mallards do exactly the same thing - hugely entertaining, but I have no idea either what they are doing.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Shaun Simpson on January 10, 2011 at 4:03 PM

Huge focal length, very sharp and excellent composition, lovely action shot

Registered on June 6, 2010, 12 Posts, 110 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 10, 2011 at 6:04 PM

A great action shot

That's some focal length you used, great camera work.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Austin Thomas on January 10, 2011 at 6:31 PM

Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated.

I was in a hide with no option to move myself closer. They kept repeating this behaviour but in the three hours I was there they would not come any closer to the hide. Wanting to record the action I decided before I left, more as an experiment if I am honest, to have a go with a longer lens combination and a beanbag. When I got home I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and I will try it again if I find myself in a similar situation in the future.

Cheers

Austin.

Registered on March 7, 2008, 45 Posts, 207 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 11, 2011 at 3:11 AM

Hi Austin, like the overall comp and colours look good & rich. Focus looks spot on, did you use centre point or a slight offset FP? Like it as presented.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on January 11, 2011 at 3:26 AM

Great action shot. The vivid colours are very nice.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on January 11, 2011 at 9:01 AM

Great action shot Austin like it very much

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Dawn Monrose on January 11, 2011 at 12:29 PM

Great action shot, I really like how you've captured all that splashing, but the head and eye is relatively clear, works really well.

Maybe it's to dislodge parasites or something? I've seen mallards doing this too, I saw some at the weekend doing it, and it looked like they were preening, then having a splash around then preening more, so I guess to do with cleaning... Maybe they're just having fun really....

Registered on April 7, 2008, 6 Posts, 60 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Burton on January 13, 2011 at 4:20 PM

Yes, amazing quality and clarity for this length. I presume it is the Canon 800 to be that good?

Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments

Comment posted by Austin Thomas on January 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM

Thanks again for you comments.

@Steve. Yes this is centre point, cropped to suit the image. With the 1.4x attached you lose all other focus points.

@Neil. Yes it is a Canon lens. Father Christmas was exceptionally kind to me this year.

I have another image of a Cormorant in flight, taken on the same day, with the straight 800mm. It is on my blog homepage but I will post it here when I next post so those that are interested can compare the quality.

Cheers

Austin

Registered on March 7, 2008, 45 Posts, 207 Comments