Nazca Boobies + repost

Gallery: AvianPosted February 24, 2012168 views11 comments

We spent a day photographing boobies and other sea birds on Isla de la Plata off the west coast of Ecuador. Isla de la Plata (Island of the silver) is also sometimes knows as the poor man's Galapagos (because it's much cheaper to get to and take a tour of). But it's a spectacular island for seabird photography. We hired our own boat so we would arrive when the light was still sweet and it was for the Blue-footed Boobies. By the time we got around to the Nazca Booby colony the light was harsher but I really liked this portrait of 2 Nazca's with the opposing face directions. It's about 75% of full frame.

I took this with a Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 150-500mm OS zoom which I have found to be a great walk around combo when I don't feel like carrying my 500F4 on a long hike.

D7000 Sigma 150-500 at 290mm, 1/1250 F9, iso 320, handheld

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 24, 2012 at 8:33 PM

Poses and expressions are great. Like the composition of this.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 25, 2012 at 9:13 AM

Hello Nate

composition is interesting, mouth open with good eye contact. exposed well with the difficult conditions.

Never knew about this location, will now look into it!
Have you been there before, what breeds would be expected to see there?
Any Iguanas etc?

Thanks for sharing.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 25, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Very nice Nate. The OOF Booby is just right to show their juxtaposition, but not interfere with the main one. Excellent detail and nice handling of the light. I'm surprised at how much of the main bird's beak is sharp with only f9. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 25, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Thanks Ray, Bill and Angela.

Bill I had been there before. There are 3 species of breeding boobies (lots of them), a couple of pair of Waved Albatross, lots of frigatebirds and a few tropicbirds. No Galapagos finches, marine or land iguanas or tortoises though.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 25, 2012 at 1:07 PM

Nate,
Super sharp image. The detail in the beak, the eyes, and the crown head feathers is astounding. I love the composition. To me it looks like the rear bird is resting his head on the front bird and the front is complaining. I actually like that the rear bird is OOF. Great exposure with harsh light as you say. Very nice job Nate. Looking forward to more of your images from the trip. Sounds like a bucket list kind of place.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 25, 2012 at 2:03 PM

great bird, Nate and a cool open bill pose, but for me the comp doesn't really work. The position of the oof bird doesn't work well for me and the crop point on the in focus bird is a little awkward.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 25, 2012 at 4:28 PM

I love the head-on look and how it shows off the contrasting marking on the face. I don't mind the OOF bird in the background. But I find the composition unbalanced.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 26, 2012 at 6:37 PM

Thanks for your comments everyone! I reworked this as more of a vertical crop and I do like it better. For me the attraction of the shot was the opposing directions of the faces and the fact that they were very close to each other. I think the fact that the bg bird is out of focus adds to the shot because it accentuates the contrast of the poses.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 26, 2012 at 6:43 PM

For me the repost is definitely a more pleasing composition to view. Seems more intimate this way. Great birds, love those eyes. Sweet close-up Nate

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 28, 2012 at 1:40 PM

Very nice close up and nice job getting this in the bright light. I like the eyes and the white neck is not blow out by being in the shadows. Well done Nate. Interesting to see you using the D7000 Sigma combo.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 1, 2012 at 10:39 AM

Wonderful image Nate. I like that the birds are facing in different directions.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments