Picture Of The Week 01-10-11

Where: Oahu, HI • Makapuu Point

Notes: One of my favorite places to relax on Oahu is along the southeast coast of this Hawaiian Island. The majestic mountains plummet from a thousand feet down to the sea at Makapuu Point. The waves erupt as whey pound the hardened black stone, formed from ancient lava flows. There is a view of two small islands about a thousand feet off shore, Kåohikaipu and Manana, both are State Bird Sanctuaries. The lowtide provides shallow pockets and pools in the rocks where small fish are trapped until higher seas returns. This is the place for a folding chair, some sunscreen, dried mango with Li Hing, bottled water, binoculars and a camera set for action. Though it is often hours spent without many bird sightings, what is seen is worth the wait. Seabirds often pass by within close range as they cut the corner of this peninsula. This Tattler had been foraging in the rock crevasses to my left and working its way in my direction. As it ventured down in the cracks, I'd move into a position where I could photograph it as it crossed over to the next ledge. Sure enough, it popped up just where I had hoped. It paused for a moment and then went back to searching for aquatic crustaceans. These birds seem almost frantic in their exploration and they cover a lot of ground, so the name "Wandering" seems to fit them quite well.

Equipment: Canon EOS 40D • Canon 100-400mm Zoom L Series Lens • Hand Held

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/160 second • Aperture = f 6.3 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: One Shot • Lens (Focal) Length = 400 mm • ISO = 400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~15 Feet • Date Shot: 12-09-10

©2010 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.