ML162531261

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Near-adult sulid, completely brown upper side, white belly with sharp delineation between white breast and brown neck. Bright yellow feet and bill with blue facial skin preocular. The bare facial parts are consistent with an adult female, although this could be a near-adult male. In fact, this bird appears to still be molting into full adult plumage, as evidence by a few brownish, tawny patches on the white belly. Underwing dark but with contrasting white central patches that extend to the armpits, connecting the white underside. Wing beats strong and consistent with very little gliding. Observed the bird feeding using the shallow plunge dives consistent with this species, unlike the vertical dives of Northern Gannet. The bird also sat on the water for over 10 minutes from a distance of about 100 yards. It preened and also bathed during this period. Overall, it appeared very active and healthy.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

ISO

500

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/7.1

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

3874 pixels x 2699 pixels

Original file size

4.64 MB