Magnificent Frigatebird

Gallery: AvianPosted January 2, 201342 views4 comments

There is a small island near Isla Puna, a short boat ride from Posorja in Ecuador. On this island is a huge rookery of hundreds of Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). My friend and I climbed a platform and were amazed at how close we were to these birds who seemed not the least bit bothered by two humans gazing at them in absolute awe.

This is the male with a partially inflated throat pouch.

Canon 1D MkIII. Canon 500mm f/4+1.4x TC. ISO 200, 1/200 sec., f/5.6. Tripod mounted with me telling my friend to stop walking around on the platform.

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on January 3, 2013 at 9:35 AM

Cool shot, Paul. I've never seen one of these. Looks sharper in the larger image than in the thumb. A crop from the left side about half way to the head would work also. Maybe burn the beak in a bit also. Very nice, I'd love to have taken it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 3, 2013 at 9:46 AM

Very cool, Paul. Impressive detail.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Wolf on January 6, 2013 at 8:59 AM

Thank you, all for your comments. Jerry, you're right on about cropping for the left. I did that very thing for the photo hanging on my wall. Also, I had this printed on canvas which in itself toned down the bright beak, and it gave the appearance of more detail. I love canvas prints!

Thanks again, everyone!

Registered on December 31, 2012, 13 Posts, 44 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on January 6, 2013 at 3:47 PM

Love this shot. I think a head shot of this bird is terrific.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments