Gannet preparing its nest - a photo on Flickriver

            The northern gannet (Morus bassanus) is a seabird, the largest species of the gannet family, Sulidae. It is native to the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, breeding in Western Europe and Northeastern North America. 

The sexes are similar in appearance. The adult northern gannet has a mainly white streamlined body with a long neck, long and slender wings. It is 87–100 cm (34–39 in) long with a 170–180 cm (67–71 in) wingspan. 

The head and nape have a buff tinge that is more prominent in breeding season, and the wings are edged with dark brown-black feathers. 

The long pointed bill is blue-grey, contrasting with black bare skin around the mouth and eyes. Juveniles are mostly grey-brown, becoming increasingly white in the five years it takes them to reach maturity.

Nesting takes place in colonies on both sides of the North Atlantic, the largest of which are at Bass Rock (75,000 pairs as of 2014), St. Kilda (60,000 pairs as of 2013) and Ailsa Craig (33,000 pairs as of 2014) in Scotland, Grassholm in Wales, and Bonaventure Island (60,000 pairs in 2009) off the coast of Quebec. 

Its breeding range has extended northward and eastward, colonies being established on Russia's Kola Peninsula in 1995 and Bear Island, southernmost island of Svalbard, in 2011. Colonies are mostly located on offshore islands with cliffs, from which the birds can more easily launch into the air. The northern gannet undertakes seasonal migrations and hunts for the fish that form the bulk of its diet by high-speed dives into the sea.

The northern gannet was previously hunted for food in parts of its range, and the traditional practice still continues in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the Faroe Islands. It faces few natural or man-made threats, and since its population is growing, it is considered to be a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As a conspicuous and common bird, it has been mentioned in several ancient myths and legends.
This image was taken at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Taken in: UK / England / Bempton / Bempton (show map)

Taken on: April 21, 2021

Tags:

_X4A1426-1

Gannets

Bempton

Bempton Cliffs

Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Yorkshire

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM « less

Sets appears in: • Images taken in the UK • Birds more » • Wildlife « less

Groups appears in: • Birds • canon photography more » • Bird Lovers • Canon L and DO Lenses • Canon EOS • Flickr Nature • Birds , Birds Birds • Nature Photography • wildlife photographers • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • Unlimited Birds • BIRDPIX (3/day) • canon digital photography. • *I Love Birds* • Nature Heals the Soul • "Bird Brained" • BiRDS are Beautiful • Anything Nature • Birds From Around The World • Bird and Nature Photography • The Beauty of Nature • Birds (no rules) • Birds In Flight • Millions of Birds • birds from all over the world • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Birds & Animals Group • Bempton • The Birds Of Flickr • Birdshare • National Geographic Wild Life • Canon SLR • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • Birds In Flight Photography • Nature's Wonder • Nature of the World Unlimited (9000+ Invite your friends!) • Canon Digital Photographers (Nature & Wildlife) • Gannets • Birds,Mammals and Nature Group • 4 Birds only • :: | Bird Photography |:: • Wild Bird Photography • The Canon User Group (Post 1, Award 2) • MAD about BIRDS! • Amateur Wildlife and Nature • Birds in flight only!!! • Flickr Birds • Any kind of wildlife/nature • Birds & More Birds • All Wildlife Photography • Wildlife Photographs • Birding With A Canon • Canon EOS Cameras. • Birds and Animals Photography • Nature and all that is beautiful • "Wildlife Photography" • Worldwide Fauna • Nature and Animals (Wild Only) • We Love Wildlife And Nature Photography • Beloved Birds • Worldwide Birds. • Canon RF lenses • Canon L Lens 4K HQ • Canon EOS RF • Nature in Flight • Yes a Canon Can • wildlife and the wild • Canon EOS R5 • Canon EOS R5 Photo • Canon EOS R5 User • Canon R5 • Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM • Canon EOS R5 Users • Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM • Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM • Canon EOS R5 Official • Canon EOS R5 - Nature photos • Canon EOS R5 - Bird photos « less

Camera: Canon EOS R5, f/6.3, 1/4000 sec, 324mm, ISO 800 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS R5
Lens:	RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Aperture:	f/6.3
Exposure Time:	1/4000 sec
Focal Length:	324mm
ISO:	800
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 10.2 (Macintosh)
Show full info

Stats: 3,774 views / 8 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: