Black Oystercatchers

Previous photograph Back to the gallery page Next photograph

This crowsized bird with the brilliantly coloured beak can be found on rocky shores, where they search for mussels and worms. We had seen them quite frequently at the Tsawassen Ferry Terminal and figured they would be the perfect subject to test the D1X with the 80 - 400mm VR lens. This pair of Black Oystercatchers was photographed at low tide early in the morning. The shutterspeed was 1/250 sec. at f8, handheld exposure. The birds are quite skittish and when approached too closely will fly off with loud calls, but it won't take long for them to return to the same area. Black Oystercatchers do not migrate, but they will only nest on offshore islands, and the best time to watch them is in the winter months when they feed and rest in small flocks along the mainland coast.

The camera recorded the following information in the original image file:

 File name            :101-0402_DSC.JPG
 File size            :2.63MB (1567156 bytes)
 Date and time        :Sat, 11 Aug, 2001 7:12:01 AM
 Image size           :3008 x 1960
 Resolution           :72 x 72 dpi
 Number of bits       :8 bits/channel
 Protection           :Off
 Camera ID            :N/A
 Model name           :NIKON D1X
 Quality mode         :Jpeg Fine
 Metering mode        :Matrix
 Exposure mode        :Programmed Auto
 Flash                :Off
 Focal length         :400.0 mm
 Shutter speed        :1/250 seconds
 Aperture             :F9.5
 Exposure compensation :0 EV
 Fixed white balance  :Auto
 Lens                 :20-400mm F/4.5-5.6
 Flash sync mode      :N/A
 Exposure difference  :0.0 EV
 Flexible program     :Yes
 Sensitivity          :ISO 320
 Sharpening           :Normal
 Color mode           :Mode 1 (sRGB)
 Tone compensation    :Normal