Black-legged Kittiwakes flushed from calving glacier
Canon EOS 40D, 70-200 f2.8 L, 1/4000th, f6.3, ISO 160, handheld
Continuing the series of summer catch-up images, today we have this shot of an enormous flock of Black-legged Kittiwakes taking off in front of a calving glacier. I made this image during a day-cruise of the northwestern portion of Prince William Sound. This was in early July and I was guiding a group as the National Geographic "Expert". I've visited PWS numerous times, but I'd never seen it under the bluebird skies like this particular day. The glacier was active and I was able to get numerous shots of seracs dropping into the water. This one however, was my favorite. There were thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging at the base of the glacier and when this particular block dropped into the sea they all lifted into the air. I like how they provide some perspective on the size of the glacier.
The trick to an image like this is timing. Have your camera ready, listen and watch the glacier. After missing the first few calving events you'll start to develop a eye for the active parts of the glacier, and that is where you have to pay attention.
Of course then you have to hope that there are a few thousand kittiwakes ready to fly off when the wave hits them.
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