2007: Nature in Black & White - Highly Commended
Wesley Cooper (Australia)
The bill
'I was photographing birds when I became fascinated by this common Australian pelican. I watched for nearly half an hour as it cleaned itself with its beak, a process that involved turning the pouch inside out. By concentrating on the bill, I wanted to capture the spirit of the species.' There are seven species of pelican, known for their large bills. This common Australian pelican has the largest bill in the world. The bill is sensitive, which helps the bird locate fish in murky water, and a hook at the end is probably used to grip them. Rather than storing food, the pouch is used like a net, to scoop food up.
Canon EOS 1D Mark II N + Canon EF 300mm f4 USM IS lens; 1/3200 sec at f4; ISO 320.
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Adult awards Encounter Anna Henly
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