Gannett Dive! (8 small pics)

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'll post some better quality images of the magnificent Gannetts later tonight,.

But here's a bit of a teaser,
We happened upon a foggy beach on our way to Avalon (in Newfoundland) after visiting the nesting site @ Cape St. Mary's... where to my joy some Gannetts were actively diving.

Despite the poor quality, I wanted to share with you just what makes these birds so amazing. With a nearly 2 meter wingspan (6.5feet) these birds are some of the wolrds most formidable divers. Diving from as high as 250-300feeet at the top end..

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzp&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

Look closely at the change in the wings as it dives.
http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzo&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1


http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzq&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

...during the course of the decent...

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzr&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1


http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzt&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1


... they transfrom from an elegant glider into a virtual living arrow by the time they hit water.
http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzz6&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1


http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzu&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1


http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzv&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

Note the almost front facing eyes,.. they can see forward better than most other birds with near binocular vision.

In oart due to this amazing binocular vision,. most eventually die blind, from eventual starvation. The repeated lifetime of high speed impact with the waters eventually causes them to lose there eyesite,. at least to a point where they can no longer hunt ....

Unfortunately the action was far offshore so even with the 500mm these are 100% crops. No chance of prints :(

[Mills]

That.Is.Awesome! More please. Never seen anything like it.

[RockOne]

Great series of shots. Captures nicely how the wings fold back. How fast were they travelling when they hit the water?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thanks Steve,. I'll have to look up the Speed that they can attain.. but it was very fast! I understand they approach the speeds that a Peregrine will attain?

Mills,. thanks for the comments, I just posted some more better quality images I got when I was at there nesting grounds,. and thus much closer to them ;)

Gannetts Nesting and in Flight (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=382775#post382775)

[Scottes]

Nice series.

Glad to see you have some free time to finally go through them!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thanks Scottes,..

Yes for Christmas I was Forced to make a bunch of prints for the Newfoundland contingent... (if not I would not be greeted so kindly on my return)

Anyway.. today I finally had time to put some of those online...

[tommykjensen]

Fantastic shots.

[Moppie]

Wow!

Iv grown up on boats and seen ganets diving many many times before, its quite an impressive sight.
Tracking them with a 500mm lens must have been tricky, even as 100% crops they are an awsome series of shots.

[IanD]

It is amazing to see how aerodynamic they become just before impact. Very educational series.

[PhotosGuy]

No chance of prints Great series! Why not gang about 8 4X6s into one long print?

[PacAce]

I would have given it a perfect 10 if not for the little unsymmetrical splash on entry. So, as it is, I'll give it 9.99. :mrgreen: :lol:

Great sequence shots, CDS. :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'll take a 9.99 :mrgreen:

I might just try some 4X6 prints Frank.. see what happens. Thanks.

[MarkoPolo]

I had the opportunity to see Gannet colonies in New Zealand in 1999. Just got my first SLR Canon Elan Ell and didn't know what I was doing. Needless to say, no pics like yours! Those are just amazing! Really, really well done. Mark

[marie]

they are amazing shots showing the action Cyber


http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif




and the bird looks as though he has a head either end (in two of the shots)


http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysgzzo&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

[gramps]

Those are fantastic. How far away were you from the bird in the pictures? Your skill of following a bird going that fast is very impressive.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Gramps,. I'm glad you asked.. in this case,. as I was so far away.. it was relatively easy.
The flight shots in the other thread took a bit more timing.. as they were right on top of me;

...these were waaaay off.. so I had a lot of "wiggle room" ... in keeping the birds within the feild of view... likewise at that distance.. focus was less of a concern as the DOF was in meters (maybe even tens of meters) that far off.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Marie,

Your right! They do look like "double enders" :)

[RichardtheSane]

Great shots, even for 100% crops!

100% crops better than no shot at all too so you should be glad you didn't just accept they were too far out!

[sparker1]

Both threads you've posted on these majestic birds are full of simply incredible photos. Your work should be an inspiration for the rest of us. Thanks.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wow,. thank you Stan. :)

Richard,. yes I am very happy to have these... ;) ..without the stop action and the long lens to bring them in.. I simply would not have been aware of what a transformation they go through during the course of the dive. I am very glad I have them to share as well.

From where I was standing,. with the naked eye.. (or even through the veiwfinder) this was essentially just a blur.