Little Auks

First landing was a real treat, high up on the cliff face was a huge colony of Little Auks, flocks & flocks, all flying in with their crops brimming with plankton & fish. A tough yomp up to reach the location, certainly not for the elderly, but well worth it and the hike up kept you warm for sure, just great to get out there. 

Being overcast helped with the whites, but having a dark head can create other issues too, love the white eye flash. From the image you would not have guessed you are shooting up at such a steep angle, hunkering down in a hollow sheltered me from the wind, but also gave some stability resting on the rocks. 

There are huge restrictions shooting in Svalbard and the Wildlife regulations are enforced rigidly, there are even lookouts posted in strategic points, (in some locations hidden from view with rangefinders to ensure the guidelines are not infringed), however getting closer was not an option and therefore so hard to isolate individuals, but was achievable.

Thanks for either viewing or commenting on the previous image, good to occassionally to think out of the box.

Steve

Subject: Little Auks (Alle alle), small group on rocks 
Location: Svalbard
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 MKII plus 1.4 MKIII HH
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/8 ISO2000 
Original format: Landscape, very slight crop
Processed: LR6 2015 & PS CC2015 (one or two dark marks in the BKG removed)