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Cape Gull


Cape Gull
Photo Information
Copyright: Anton Prinsloo (Anton) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 46 W: 11 N: 154] (595)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D100 with MB-D100, AF-S Nikkor VR 200-400mm F/4 G
Exposure: f/11, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Noah's Ark [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-25 13:09
Viewed: 7838
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus dominicanus occurs along the coasts of South America, New Zealand, Australia and many islands in the Southern Ocean. The subspecies found along the southern African coastline, L. d. vetula, is currently thought to be sufficiently different from the nominate race that it ought to be regarded as a full species. The proposed English name is "Cape Gull".

Cape Gulls breed in Namibia and South Africa; there are large colonies between Cape Cross and the islands in Algoa Bay, with occasional nests recorded as far north as Cape Fria and as far east as the Great Fish River. Along the west coast, nonbreeding birds occur north to Luanda, Angola, and along the east coast as far as the Limpopo River mouth in Mozambique. Apart from around the Greater Cape Town area, Cape Gulls seldom occur more than a few kilometres inland.

The population of the Cape Gull is constantly increasing. With an estimated 11 000 pairs, the Cape Gull population is not regarded as threatened. The main factor in the increase in Cape Gull populations has been human subsidies: large numbers take discards of fish behind trawlers and at fish processing factories; even larger numbers occur at rubbish tips, where they feed on discarded food. For example, the rubbish dump near the Strandfontein Sewage Works on the Cape Flats where this picture was taken, regular supports more than 1000 Cape Gulls, the largest known concentration of the species outside a breeding colony.

Cape Gulls are aggressive predators on the offshore islands. They take every conceivable opportunity to rob African Penguins, Cape Gannets Morus capensis, cormorants, terns and Hartlaub's Gulls L. hartlaubii of their eggs and small nestlings.
uleko, Scott, loot, coasties, Argus, peter_stoeckl, edal has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2006-09-25 13:19]

That's a truly beautiful shot - these gulls look so elegant facing the same way and the picture is crystal clear. Excellent composition!
TFS, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Scott Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 225 W: 0 N: 356] (1752)
  • [2006-09-25 13:20]

anton,

we have a gull with the very same coloring here .........

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 483 W: 0 N: 1345] (10867)
  • [2006-09-25 13:22]

Hi Anton,

These gull are very nice. Great composition and I like the colors and sharpness. You managed the white very well. My compliments!

regards,
Zeno.

Hi Anton.

Very nice shot with excellent composition and vivid colors.

TFS.

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2006-09-25 15:10]
  • [2]

Hello Anton
Manjefiek man, 'n pure plesier.

This is a great shot of these two gulls. They sure gave you the 'eagle eye'. Since one bird is lying on the nest it seems like they were just a little nervous of you being so close in their vicinity.
The composition and POV is excellent while the colours are rich, the details are nice and sharp, the BG is complimentary, and the exposure was very well managed. This is evident in the brilliant contrasts you managed to display in the darkish and brighter areas on the birds.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-09-25 22:30]

Hello Anton

Excellent DOF and POV on this gull shot.The details are clear and sharp.The colours are well saturated too.A lovely composition.TFS

Rob

great family pic, thanks Ori

Hi Anton

Perfect low POV. Love the composition of these two. Nice exposure with good clarity and sharpness. Nice work. TFS.

Hi Anton,
A lovely photo, and both a posing so beautifully. Great colors and perfect composition. What I find most stunning is the red rim aroun their eyes.
TFS,
Niek

:) later

Grea compo, excellent details and white balance.
Nice colors and BG.
Good notes.
Andrea

Salut Anton,
This is a beautiful composition with those two very nice birds. I like the way they look at the same place :) What do they see? I also like the vegetation that they are on. Details are very nice along with great POV. Well done! Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2006-09-26 13:06]

Hello Anton.
Delightful portrait of these gulls - almost in the style of 100-year old family portraits! Fine comp., sharpness and colour.
TFS,regards, Ivan

Hi ANton,
Lovely timed capture. Very strong composition with good colour and tone throughout the image.
TFS
Paul

Hi Anton,
Nice pic...very good compo.
All the other criteria evaluated positive too IMHO.
TFS
Annick

Hi Anton,
delightfully contrasting colours, impressingly well composed picture with perfect details. The bright yellow and red spots of beaks and vegetation stand out from the cool unsaturated greens and blues of vegetation and background in a most delightful way. A well chosen point of view has placed the distant mountains in a perfect position.
With thanks, and best regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • edal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 374 W: 48 N: 413] (1853)
  • [2007-05-07 2:03]

Hello Anton!
Nice and sharp portrait of these gulls. Very good close up!
Anton

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