Puffin in daisies

Gallery: AvianPosted January 15, 2011127 views18 comments

Taken on Skomer Island in West Wales in 2008 before I knew anything about "virtual feet"

The rabbits on the island had died due to disease at that time and the daisies flourished as a result of not being eaten.
The rabbits were re-introduced so you won't see quite so many daisies growing there nowadays.

I was relatively new to wildlife photography then and had the habit of framing everything tight in-camera which is not always the best thing to do, I've learned a lot since then, especially during the last 5 months or so while I've been a member on this great website.

Top, bottom and right are as taken, I've just cropped a bit off the left.

Sony A350
Sigma 50-500
1/500th
f7.1
ISO 100
360mm
-0.3 stop exposure compensation
Centre-weighted metering
Hand held

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 15, 2011 at 6:46 AM

I think this was very well taken. The virtual feet are not so necessary here, as there would have been a lot of OOF daisies thrown in to represent the virtual feet. As is, the photo is very well balanced between the primary and secondary subject.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on January 15, 2011 at 8:29 AM

I don't think this it too tight...but with a field full of daisies, backing off the zoom a bit probably would have produced some very nice images too. Beautiful.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 15, 2011 at 9:17 AM

I think this is really great. Love the inclusion of the daisies. It certainly creates an environmental shot that is unique for a puffin. Virtual feet on this one do not bother me at all. This is VERY pleasing

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 15, 2011 at 9:55 AM

Beautiful and lovely image, Geoffrey ! Very nice habitat with that field full of daisies.
Luky you that have all those clorful puffins !
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 15, 2011 at 11:16 AM

Gorgeous setting, bird, and detail in the shot. I would prefer to have the "virtual feet", but it's such a striking setting and shot that it's a very minor point.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 15, 2011 at 11:22 AM

Super nice image of this adorable bird. The lack of virtual feet doesn't bother me a bit. Love the detail and catchlights even in the fish eyes. The daisy filled environment puts this one over the top good in my book.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 15, 2011 at 12:04 PM

Gorgeous setting and very nice capture - still looking for my first Puffin!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on January 15, 2011 at 12:42 PM

I really like this image Geoffrey. Love the grass and flowers around the Puffin.
As mentioned, a bit more room down low would improve.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on January 15, 2011 at 12:48 PM

Beautiful colors in the puffin, nicely complemented by the habitat. The fish in the beak add a lot to the photo. I am not bothered by cutting off some of the virtual feet in this photo.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on January 15, 2011 at 1:16 PM

This is beautiful Geoffrey. Very nice setting and nice light. Very well done.The lack of the virtual feet does not bother me at all. Great image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 15, 2011 at 1:21 PM

Ah, Geoffrey, I understand NOW the issue of the "virtual feet" ! But has the Puffin so long legs !?
In this image it does not bother me at all !
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on January 15, 2011 at 2:27 PM

Very nice looking image

Lovely exposure and such a great setting

Oh and the added beak of sand eals add's alot

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on January 15, 2011 at 3:37 PM

Terrific shot Geoffrey, I like the natural framing.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 15, 2011 at 5:47 PM

Setting more than makes up for the amputation Geoffrey - lovely shot

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on January 15, 2011 at 7:41 PM

As usual...I Love your puffins.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 15, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Geoffrey, I wouldn't worry at ALL about the virtual feet in this shot....it has way too many good things going for it. Love the environment in this one. I think the flowers make it unique.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 16, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Very pleasing image.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 17, 2011 at 5:26 PM

Geoffrey,

The setting is beautiful, love the sandeels in the bill and the eye contact you have with the puffin. I think the image would have been improved with room for the virtual feet, but it is wonderful to know how much you are learning since becoming a member.

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