Gannets

by Matt Burrard-Lucas

I spent about 3 hours at this colony of gannets in New Zealand. Unfortunately there were only about 80 birds, as opposed to 25,000 during the summer. The ground around the colony was pretty disgusting and occasionally I would crawl over a bone or get too close to a corpse. The moody atmosphere was created by underexposing and using a speedlite flash.

Equipment: Canon 1Ds MKIII, 24-70mm f/2.8, 580EX speedlite

Matt Burrard-Lucas

I have been a photographer for about five years now. I especially enjoy wildlife and macro photography.

Website: Website

Gannets by Matt Burrard-Lucas was photo of the day on Wednesday, 27th May 2009. It is tagged Birds, New Zealand. You can leave a comment below.

23 Comments

Steph

27th May 2009 at 1:08 am

It reminds me of Gannet rock off Waiheke island. I think its amazing. (and I would not crawl over the “white rock” myself)

Katherine Lee Strassburg

27th May 2009 at 1:39 am

Whitewash seems such an innocent thing–until you are covered with it! I’ll probably never see gannets in the wild, but they’re one of my favorite birds. Their eye make-up is perfect–quite Egyptian. ….and what was so fascinating at state right? Your photos are always top notch and always tell a story.

Katherine Lee Strassburg

27th May 2009 at 1:40 am

OOPS……………..I meant ‘stage right’!

Ellen Empson

27th May 2009 at 2:00 am

Awesome shot great depth of field

David Lazar

27th May 2009 at 5:39 am

Very studio like in quality – which I like.
Theres something great about their positioning, and the depth of field.
“Ok, now can you all turn your heads to the left and we’ll try that pose next…”

Anurag

27th May 2009 at 7:27 am

A formidable piece of work. Your Opus magnum.
What balance and color. Great!….. Congratulations Matt!

27th May 2009 at 7:52 am

Like this shot very much, it looks like a comical pose with the gannets on mass not looking at the
man who has slithered his way over bones, poop etc. Well done on our behalf on going that extra mile!

Pauline Jones

27th May 2009 at 8:06 am

I like the way the gannets are all looking in the same direction; gannets are kinda comical birds.

Alex

27th May 2009 at 8:56 am

Nice perspective and color combination.

planet lover

27th May 2009 at 12:53 pm

Very nice photo! Curiously, the other day I saw a bunch of cows in a field in exactly that pose, all pointing in the same direction…

Dianne

27th May 2009 at 3:52 pm

Looks like there might be some slight wind…like a storm is brewing in the sky….feathers fluffed and all pointed toward the wind helps to keep their balance, much like the seagull. Those egyptian type eyes are amazing! Great job!