Falkland Steamer-Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted August 9, 201197 views5 comments

Olympus E-3, 300mm x 2.0TC, handheld
f11, 1/500, ISO200

Like a lot of remote island birds, the Falkland Steamer-Duck is flightless. I wanted to get a shot that showed just how pitiful the species' wings have become. It took 45 minutes, but I got this wing stretch.

Gypsy Cove, East Falkland Island. The only place I've birded which is partially closed because of a minefield.

75% of full frame. Selective sharpening of bird. Some adjustments to try to mitigate the harsh light.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM

Congrats getting this Falklands endemic! Thanks for showing - would love to see one some day!

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on August 9, 2011 at 3:46 PM

Hi Jim.
Jim just shows it pays to stick with it your image shows the short wings to good effect.Bet the falklands was somewhere really different.

Keith,

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 9, 2011 at 5:15 PM

Its always tough when you have a great subject in harsh light. Very nicely done given the lighting obstacles.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 9, 2011 at 11:14 PM

Great pose and I love the texture of the feathers, Jim.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 11, 2011 at 9:35 AM

Cool! Never heard of such a bird, nicely captured.

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