Gulp!

Gallery: AvianPosted December 15, 2011118 views10 comments

Captured this image at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on November 25th. I was trying to capture the Pelicans behavior after it comes up from its dive. It first filters and then tosses its head to move the catch to the back of the pouch. I like the fish and the arc of water drops from the bill.

Canon 7D with 500mm
Tripod
1/1600 at f / 5.0
ISO 500
EV + 1/3

Comments and Critiques are always appreciated

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 15, 2011 at 11:47 PM

Wonderful timing to get this. It does look like you were dealing with some strong light on the pelican and the larger image might need to be toned down just a fraction. I do like the water drops, seeing the fish and partial reflection in that blue water, nice job handling the contrasting colors from the pelican, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on December 15, 2011 at 11:59 PM

Oh, really nice! Wonderful colors and detail, and I, too, like the fish and the arc of water drops.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 16, 2011 at 12:05 AM

Nice catch!! Love the fish, water splashes, and almost full-breeding colours on this guy. Fine detail!
I agree that it's just a tad bright, and also seems to need a touch of CCW rotation.
I'm also waiting for spring at BC and May for the peregrine hatchlings at Solana Beach !
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on December 16, 2011 at 5:53 AM

Like the picture witnin a picture of the fish in the bill -- nice timeing

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on December 16, 2011 at 8:38 AM

Hi Skip... nice timing and detail of this guy, with a nice catchlight highlighting the pelican's glance your way. :-)

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 16, 2011 at 11:14 AM

super! love the line of the water drops and the fish.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on December 16, 2011 at 5:40 PM

Good one!
Wish we had stuff like this over here !
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 17, 2011 at 4:08 PM

Love the fish and the water trail here Harry

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 17, 2011 at 7:48 PM

Everything looks very good Harry, love that water action and the look in its eye..
I like the closer comp that gives us plenty of details, and keeps the entire reflection in too.
Well done!
BTW - I grew up in Orange County. Of course, that was when it was all orange groves & fields..
And Disneyland was brand new

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 17, 2011 at 10:31 PM

Great action Harry. Love the fish going in and the trail of water drops. Nice exposure as well.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments