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Magnificent Frigatebird


Magnificent Frigatebird
Photo Information
Copyright: Selen Ediger (SelenE) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-28
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Birds of South America, Birds in Flight 2, Karatash's other favorite -I-, Birds of Ecuador [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-10 18:02
Viewed: 4866
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A female Magnificent Frigatebird,flying over our boat while we are cruising- one of our everyday cruise companions. We got used to having at least 3 of them flying with the boat as we cruise. When they got tired of flying they just sit on the boat, really friendly birds.
I really had a difficulty putting the whole bird in the frame as they usually fly 1-2 mt away from us, as you can see the focal length is 160mm here, and this is the full version without crops. Please check the workshop version for a tired male resting on the boat.

Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata magnificens
Endemic subspecies (found only in Galapagos, but other closely related members of the species found elsewhere)

The larger of the two frigatebirds found in Galapagos, up to 1.10m long and with a wingspan of up to 2.45 m. Frigatebirds have the largest wingspan-to-weight ratio of any species of bird and are extremely able and skilled fliers. The male is entirely black with a purplish sheen on its back and a red goular, or throat, pouch, which is only visible during the breeding season. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a white breast and shoulders, but it is otherwise completely black. Immatures have a white head, neck and breast.

Frigatebirds eat a wide range of food including fish, small crustaceans and newly hatched Green Turtles (chelonia mydas) which they pick up off the beach almost as soon as they emerge from the nest, and sometimes before. They may fish directly from the surface of the sea, or will frequently chase other species , such as the Blue-footed Boobies (Sula nebouxii) or Red-billed Tropic birds and force it to disgorge its recent catch, often actually catching hold of the tail feathers of both of these species, shaking them until they disgorge their catch, and then catching the disgorged fish before it hits the water.

An insubstantial nest of twigs is built for breeding, in low trees or shrubs close to the shore, often using twigs stolen from other frigatebirds. The courtship includes an acrobatic aerial display and the male pumping up his large, bright red, goular pouch and uttering an unwordly ullulating thrill. A single egg is laid which is incubated by both parents for some 42 days. The young fledge after some 90 days.
Best viewed: throughout the islands, inshore and at their breeding sites. . North Seymour; Floreana-Gardner; Isabela- Punta Moreno; San Christobal- Wreck Bay, Kicker Rock, Punta Pitt; Genovesa.


*Source: Wildlife of the Galapagos
Julian Fitter,Daniel Fitter,David Hosking
Princeton Pocketguides, ISBN 0-691-10295-3
egeerhan, Jamesp, LordPotty, cedryk, glazzaro, scottevers7, Raptorman, mutan, Argus, uleko, delic, falke, vanderschelden, rousettus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2007-05-10 18:25]

Hi Selen

Superb in-flight shot of the Frigate Bird, nicely composed and I like the way it fills the frame, good detail and great colours too.

TFS Hilary :o)

Kadraj ve zamanlaman güzel olmuş yan gözle seni süzüyor gibi ,her fotoğrafında uzun uzun bilgilendirme için verdiğin emeklerede saygı duymamak elde degil.Ellerine saglık Selen.

  •      
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 586 W: 12 N: 1682] (6165)
  • [2007-05-10 19:42]

Hello Selen, another fantastic photo..very beautiful, the collors and details are great..well done..

A great capture of this Frigate Bird Selen.
I remember these from when I lived on Niue Island in the Pacific.
When these huge birds came in from the ocean,hovering high in the sky,it was a sure sign of an impending storm.
Thanks for posting it.
Cheers, Steve

  • Great 
  • cedryk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 50 N: 1722] (5270)
  • [2007-05-10 20:33]

Hello Selen,
Great capture with very nice diagonal composition filling well the frame. Excellent details in shadows ans also nice sky colour.
Best greetings,
Michal

Good flight shot, nice detail captured in the plumage too, well done.

Greg

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-05-11 4:46]

Hello Selen,
Magnificent in-flight capture of a female Magnificent Frigatebird. Excellent sharpness, light management and diagonal composition.
Great shot!
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-05-11 5:31]

Hello Selen,
Wonderful in-flight capture of this majestic bird. We've seen them flying high above Trinidad and Tobago and they are so elegant.
Very well-timed shot with nice focus on the eye and great sharpness.
Many thanks, Ulla

Hi Selen,
An excellent in flight shot on this Frigatebird. You managed the exposure very well. Superb colors and detail shown in the plumage. Beautiful blue sky backround shows her well. Nice camera work! :) :) :)

Scott

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-05-11 7:35]

Merhaba Selen,
Excellent frame-filling image. I like the eye contact and the fine detail. With the diversity you are showing us, one appreciates the impact Galapagos had on Darwin's vision of the evolution. Hosçakal,
Hakan

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2007-05-11 12:52]

Hi Selen

A magnificent shot (had to say that - sorry). You have really captured the detail and texture of the feathers very well. Excellent detail.

James

Mükemmel bir kare daha. renk, BG, netlik her şey güzel. en çok dikkatimi çeken de göz teması oldu. teşekkürler paylaşımların için.
Ahmet

Good morning Selen , really " magnificient " bird , your photo shows how a big bird and enormeous wingspan , very detailed , good exposured blacks , eye contact also , TFS and good luck.

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