This Image was taken in the Dry Tortugas near Long Key, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. Taken from a boat. Frigatebirds live across tropical and subtropical oceans. The five living species belong to the genus Fregata. They are mostly black, with long hooked bills and deeply forked tails. Females have white underbellies, and males display a bright red throat pouch during breeding season. Their long, pointed wings can reach a 7.5 foot span, the largest wing-area-to-body-mass ratio of any bird.
Frigatebirds can soar for weeks, spending most of the day in flight while hunting fish and squid driven to the surface by larger undersea predators. They sometimes steal food from other seabirds and may take chicks from nests. They nest in colonies on remote islands, building simple nests in low trees or on the ground. Each pair raises a single egg, and because parental care is so long, frigatebirds breed only every other year.
Image taken with a Nikon D800, ISO 200, Speed 1/1250th of a sec, F/18, Focal Length 400mm, Lens Nikkor 80-400.
6 comments posted
Ted Evans
Tom,
Thank you for the bird-in-flight image and information about the Frigate bird. The selected aperture captures the entire subject. The crop is well chosen. The catch light gives the impression of looking directly at the camera. Posted: 12/01/2025 14:23:48
Tom Buckard
Thanks for your comments Ted. I did little or no editing on this image but I was torn whether or not to change the sky. Posted: 12/01/2025 19:58:59
Veysi Arcagok
The bird's flight was captured so clearly. It's also wonderful to see the bird looking at you as it flies. I think the sky is beautiful. Congratulations. Posted: 12/05/2025 06:54:55
Tom Buckard
Thank you for your comments Veysi. I was taught the you should alway have a bird or animal lookin slightly or directly at you and never directly right or left 90 degrees. But I guess rules can be broken. Welcome to our Bird group Veysi. Posted: 12/05/2025 18:52:10
Leslie Larson
She looks like she is eyeing you skeptically. Good sharp catch. Think you did the right thing leaving the sky as is. Having birds look directly at you makes some really goofy photos...eyes on the side of the head don't work well. Heads turned as yours is, works best. Posted: 12/10/2025 03:33:55
Tom Buckard
Thanks Leslie, this bird had about a six foot wingspan and was very fast. They are also spooked very easily. She came right at the boat and immediately veered away. Definitely a grab shot. Posted: 12/10/2025 14:24:00
