Magnificent Frigatebird #1

Gallery: AvianPosted August 13, 20072,022 views17 comments

Hi All,

I found a frigatebird roosting site on an island close to my home on the west coast of Florida a couple of months ago. I observed them and learned their habits for a long time and finally got a captain friend of mine to charter me out to the island on his flats boat in the best conditions I could find.

Unbelievable experience - about 400 or so birds roost there. I will be posting some of the males displaying their gular pouches in the coming days.

If anyone is interested in shooting these birds before they leave for the winter I will be happy to put you in touch with my friend Don and he'll take you out there. It's a ten-minute boat ride from the ramp.

Thanks for looking.

Best,

Jose

D200 - 200~400VR - hand held from boat.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 13, 2007 at 8:55 PM

Jose, this is a fascinating image. I take it that the white headed bird is the young?

I love the details you were able to capture in the dark feathers. Not a single nit from me.

I have long wanted to take some photos of these birds. Could you please email me?

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Mack Barham on August 13, 2007 at 9:15 PM

Great shot - I love the splayed tail and the feathers that lookk like horns!

Registered on August 12, 2005, 537 Posts, 1107 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Zimic on August 13, 2007 at 9:21 PM

Jose,
Wow this is an awesome shot. The wing position and tail feathers are magnificent. It looks like it should be an image on a family crest. The two birds on the bottom are an added bonus.

Registered on November 23, 2003, 176 Posts, 727 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on August 13, 2007 at 9:45 PM

Let me know when you're done with that lens. This is great , Jose. The detail and action are superb.

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

Comment posted by Michel Lemaire on August 13, 2007 at 10:53 PM

Beautiful capture! Dramatic posture and lighting! The devil is landing. The detail of the feathers, considering the colour of the bird and the strong light, is amazing for me.

Michel.

Registered on April 14, 2007, 44 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Christina Evans on August 13, 2007 at 10:57 PM

This is excellent, Jose. I think these birds are difficult to get good photos of even under the "best conditions", so I'm doubly impressed.

Registered on August 3, 2007, 5 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 14, 2007 at 2:38 AM

Great image Jose

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 14, 2007 at 10:07 AM

Great shot Jose. The lighting and detail on the feathers is wonderful.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Lance Warley on August 14, 2007 at 10:57 AM

Double on all of the above. Awesome.

Please do put me in touch with Don. I live on the east coast, so it would only be a drive for me.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 52 Posts, 459 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 14, 2007 at 10:16 PM

Awesome wing position and feathers. That bird looks like a dragon.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on August 16, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on August 16, 2007 at 10:38 AM

Double on all of the above. Awesome.

Please do put me in touch with Don. I live on the east coast, so it would only be a drive for me.

Thanks Lance. e-mail sent.

Best,

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by David Kjaer on August 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM

Hi Jose

Great all round image and a well deserved EP - great composition and the birds in the bottom of the frame is for me what makes the image special!

David

Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Merigan on August 20, 2007 at 1:26 PM

Great picture,Jose

Registered on April 24, 2006, 69 Posts, 751 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on August 21, 2007 at 10:27 AM

I have been away and missed this one. Outstanding image Jose and a well deserved EP!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Wilson on August 23, 2007 at 4:56 PM

I missed this - great image Jose!

Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on August 24, 2007 at 1:18 AM

I missed this on Avian somehow. A terrific capture and a marvelous job with that brutal light. I spent some time at Man 'O War Key in Belize and did okay, but nothing close to this. Absolutely deserves the EP!

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