Maria Mazo, PPSA
October 2025 - Pardela
Original
About the Image(s)
For this month’s image, I chose this one that I took recently with my nature group during a pelagic outing on a boat. The bird is called Pardela in Spanish, and it is a seabird from the petrel family (Procellariidae). It breeds on rocky islands and steep coasts in the Mediterranean, but outside the breeding season, it forages in the Atlantic. Unfortunately, its population is declining rapidly. Exif data: Shutter speed: 1/4000 sec. Aperture: f/9. ISO:4000. Shot with a Canon R5 II and RF 200??“800 mm zoom lens at 800 mm.
7 comments posted
Interesting final color palette -- except for the feet this could almost be a monochrome image. The waves in the front have a different looking silver gray, (almost like mercury), look to them. I like the way that you captured the motion of the bird with its wings and legs spread out, displaying a hunting attitude. The head could stand some more lightening in order to bring out more detail. Nice bokeh -- the bird stands out well from the background. Posted: 10/09/2025 21:05:09
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for your nice comment. I definitely paid attention to the different tonalities of grey. It wasn't an easy shot due to the movement of the boat and the bird's fast flight. I was totally out of my comfort zone taking this photo from a boat in the open sea! Posted: 10/21/2025 10:36:04
Thank you for your nice comment. I definitely paid attention to the different tonalities of grey. It wasn't an easy shot due to the movement of the boat and the bird's fast flight. I was totally out of my comfort zone taking this photo from a boat in the open sea! Posted: 10/21/2025 10:36:04
Maria, a difficult situation indeed and you still got a stellar bird in flight capture. I really like the overall smooth feel of the photo as presented. Posted: 10/22/2025 11:46:45
Maria, you handled the situation perfectly. Well done. Bruce Posted: 10/23/2025 03:34:34
Maria, I have done a number of pelagic trips and indeed it is a very difficult platform to shoot from!
I like the pose of the bird with the tail spread and the feet so clearly visible, and pink- just the little hint of color makes them stand out. Capturing it against the wave adds some interest to the background. You got great detail in the bird- that fast shutter helps, but I'm most impressed that it's that good with such a high ISO.
For me there's a little too much space at the top, I'd crop down just a bit. But that's a matter of taste.
Very nice shot.
Posted: 10/24/2025 00:00:38
I like the pose of the bird with the tail spread and the feet so clearly visible, and pink- just the little hint of color makes them stand out. Capturing it against the wave adds some interest to the background. You got great detail in the bird- that fast shutter helps, but I'm most impressed that it's that good with such a high ISO.
For me there's a little too much space at the top, I'd crop down just a bit. But that's a matter of taste.
Very nice shot.
Posted: 10/24/2025 00:00:38
Hi
A feel a different mood of the image due to post processing. It seems to me that a painter has painted this picture instead of a photographic shot.
Thanks for sharing. Posted: 10/25/2025 17:03:32
A feel a different mood of the image due to post processing. It seems to me that a painter has painted this picture instead of a photographic shot.
Thanks for sharing. Posted: 10/25/2025 17:03:32
Maria, great shot! I take sea birds in flight and it's far from easy! The greyness adds to the image effect - you could create a mono version. I think you've kept the amount of space above the burst to help the feeling that it's dropping as it swings round. Any you have no material to increase the amount below the bird.
You could try lighting the shadows of just the head a bit - I think it would benefit from this. Posted: 10/26/2025 13:25:49
You could try lighting the shadows of just the head a bit - I think it would benefit from this. Posted: 10/26/2025 13:25:49