Northern Gannet

The Northern Gannet is one of three species of Gannet, the others are the Cape Gannet, which lives in South Africa and the Australian Gannet. The Northern Gannet lives in the North Atlantic Ocean and is the biggest seabird in that part of the world. About two thirds of all Northern Gannets nest in the United Kingdom, mainly in Scotland.

This one was taking in the English Channel in its gliding mode which can quickly change into a plummeting dive during which it changes its body profile into a virtual living arrow by the time it hits the water.

They enter the water at speeds up to 145 km/hr and reach depths of 30m resurfacing up to 20 seconds later. With almost front facing eyes, they can see forward better than most other birds with near binocular vision.

In part due to this amazing binocular vision, most eventually die blind, from starvation. The repeated lifetime of high-speed impact with the water eventually causes them to lose their eyesight, at least to a point where they can no longer hunt in this way.

These beautiful elegent birds are easily recognised by their shear size of up to 2 metres in wingspan and the distintive black tips to their wings.

This is a full frame shot at F8, 1/1250 sec. ISO 200.

Be sure to view LARGE.

Thanks for looking.

Brian.

Title:	Northern Gannet
Username:	brian usher
Uploaded:	15 Mar 2007 - 8:40 AM
Camera:	Canon EOS 5D
Lens:	100-400mm
Recording media:	Digital
Tags:	Flight, Gannet, Northern, Wildlife / nature
Votes:	6