Yawning

Gallery: AvianPosted April 17, 201175 views4 comments

Pelican's head throw is considered as yawning. This is a big yawning for sure.

Taken at La Jolla, CA last week.

Sony A900, 70-400mm

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 18, 2011 at 2:44 PM

I have been told by local ornithologists that this is not a yawn, but an exercise to stretch the pouch and keep it flexible. Whatever, the image is sharp and clear, but the light looks way harsh.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 18, 2011 at 6:43 PM

I always thought this action was more bill & pouch cleaning than yawning, go figure.

If this wasn't a large crop, I would think seriously about cropping it to a vertical so that only the bird with the open bill was left in the frame with a little more room above the tip of the bill. The two birds at the bottom being clipped don't add to the image imo, they detract. I'd also back off on the sharpening a bit, some of the feathers on the back & side and a few areas on the rock look over sharpened to me. Light looks lovely and the water background very fitting for this species.

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

Comment posted by John Fan on April 18, 2011 at 11:38 PM

Thanks for your suggestions, Phil & Mia.

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 19, 2011 at 3:55 PM

I'll echo the crop comment, but love the yawning bird. Nice catch, John.

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