Sunday, August 16, 2009

Pier Pressure

Wanna See Me Shake My Tail Feather?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Cloudy evening. No chance of a blazing sunset. But I can take a shot of a couple of gulls sitting on the pier.

You have no idea how long I sat there with my lens trained on these two birds. I had a very simple idea in mind. I lined up both gulls on the pier pilings, and wondered if I could possibly get a shot of them looking in the same direction, or just looking synchronised.

But these two were not going to co-operate. They could not have been less in synch if they tried. And no, they didn't even try and shake their tail feathers.

Maybe they were just tired of the paparazzi.

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20 comments:

Janie said...

At least they both sat still, almost lined up. From gulls, that's not bad cooperation.

Maggie May said...

Well I think they made a really good photo.
Never work with children & animals. Isn't that what *they* say?

ArtistUnplugged said...

What a nice photo...they are so gullible!

Maddy said...

We have names for birds like those, although I probably shouldn't repeat it here.
Cheers

Rosaria Williams said...

It all looks so easy.

Misty DawnS said...

Hehehe - I know the frustration... Shamefully, I admit to coming to the point of pleading with some critters to just give me that one shot ;-)

Loran said...

How long did you actually wait I wonder? It's difficult sometimes to muster up the patience for the perfect shot. Other times, it's just plain hopeless when those critters don't cooperate.

i beati said...

gulls or buoys?

CiCi said...

Shake shake shake.

You have so much patience.

The end result was worth the wait, don't you think?

Rebel Mother said...

You show me yours and I'll show you mine ....er...tail feathers that is!

Sorry - feeling cheeky and liberated. It has an odd effect!

RMxx

Jane Hards Photography said...

I can't believe I have never had this pun where I live. What is it about gulls that have very different idea about photography than any other bird.

Mara said...

They knew you were there! And animals never do what you want them to do anyway...

Leslie: said...

I know exactly what you mean 'cuz just a couple of weeks ago, I was down at the beach and two seagulls kept coming closer and closer and I tried the same thing. No, they did NOT cooperate with me, either. Must be a bird thing! lol

SandyCarlson said...

But you got them doing their gull thing. They look very much like the sole proprietors of the vast sea.

Eve said...

I love this photo with the gulls each looking off in a different direction - like sentries!

Anonymous said...

Actually it is a pretty cool shot.

Shadow said...

the colours and lighting is perfect. almost a black and white shot in colour....

myonlyphoto said...

David, however, the photo came out good. I wrote in my post recently about how I saw gulls lined up on the parking lot diagonally yet to discover they were all standing in the shade of the lamp post - it was hot that day. And of course I didn't have my camera with me, dahhh...lol. Excellent post as always. Anna :)

Cezar and Léia said...

magnificent!
Happy camera critters
purrs and love
Luna

Marguerite said...

Great shot of the seagulls! I adore seagulls and lived around them for many years. Next time, bring a few breadcrumbs and bribe them a little. :)