Gloria Grandolini
December 2025 - Aquamarine Model
About the Image(s)
I took this photo of a Flightless Cormorant in the island of Isabela in the Galapagos.
I was mesmerized by the aquamarine color of the eyes.
And truly gave the impression the he was posing for me.
I took it handheld from the Zodiac.
Shot with canon R5
105m (Lens RF 24-105 F2.8 L IS USM)
1/320 sec at f/11 ISO 800
In Lightroom I cropped a little bit and adjusted exposure and temperature.
2 comments posted
Gloria, this must be a very particular variety of the cormorants found only in the Galapagos Island. This turquoise eye color happens when they are in reproductive mode during the matting season to attract the female. Interesting as how the plumage colors camouflages with the environment. Posted: 12/07/2025 23:41:44
Your picture sure documents their tiny "wings". The way they swim unwater I think they are better fish than birds. The background shows how adapted they are to their environment. Unless you cropped a bunch you must have been fairly close at 105mm. Posted: 12/09/2025 22:03:27