African Penguin

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2013225 views15 comments

I had the opportunity to spend about a week around Capetown, South Africa last September and I have to say it fast became one of my favorite locations for bird photography. Lots of beautiful birds, wonderful wildflowers and great landscapes.

There is a colony of African Penguins outside town at Simonstown. This species used to be called the Jackass Penguin because it's call sounds like the braying of a donkey. It's a lot of fun to photograph them at the Boulders in the afternoon when they are coming back in from sea to their roosts. That's what this one was doing, it's about 75% of FF.

7D 500F4 1.4x 1/2000 F8, iso 400

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 7, 2013 at 7:35 PM

I like the earlier common name Nate, what an unusual looking Jackass this one

Love the 'dual' water flappin' action, and head turn for the cam Nate.
Wonder just how late in the day his was? Flash?
Well done!

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 7, 2013 at 7:38 PM

Thanks Howard, this was about an hour before sunset, no flash used.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 7, 2013 at 8:39 PM

Gorgeous photo - love the splash, the head turn, the light everything about it

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 7, 2013 at 10:23 PM

Cool image Nate. Interesting bird and behavior-the light is terrific.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 8, 2013 at 1:45 AM

Sweet light and classic behavior. Very nice.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 8, 2013 at 6:07 AM

There's no snow or ice in this photo, perhaps there's another reason they're called jackass penguins.

Great action shot this of guy Nate!!! Excellent details, nice dueling splashes. I like the incoming wave in the background.

Sweet Photo!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on February 8, 2013 at 7:31 AM

Nate, the double splash here is really great. Well done!

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by James Allen on February 8, 2013 at 11:14 AM

Beautiful job freezing the action and detail Nate. The penguin has a lot of character

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on February 8, 2013 at 1:36 PM

I remember seeing these guys in Simonstown when I was there. They seemed so out of place in S. Africa!

Really nice action shot. If it were mine, I would clone out the one OOF droplet which is right above the penguin's beak near the top of the image. Not sure why, but this one droplet draws my eye away from the bird and the nice BG incoming wave.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 8, 2013 at 6:39 PM

love it, Nate. pose, comp, and double splashes are all just perfect. I'd be tempted to remove some of the water spots left and right of the bird's head.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 8, 2013 at 9:36 PM

Great pose and splashes.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 9, 2013 at 12:08 AM

That's one great shot, Nate. The splashes are excellent.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 9, 2013 at 6:20 AM

Classic pose Nate - love the splashes

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on February 9, 2013 at 3:24 PM

Wonderful image Nate. Love the bilateral splashes.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 9, 2013 at 10:09 PM

Love the playfulness of this Pinguin Nate. The water slash and look on his face makes me think of some ornery kid.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments