Northern Gannet Diving, Delaware Bay
Yesterday I went on a trip to the Delaware Bay, a body of water between Delaware and New Jersey. By riding the ferry from Lewes, Delaware to Cape May, New Jersey, I was able to capture many images of Northern Gannets flying far off-shore. These birds are an ocean-going species, only landing to nest, so riding the ferry was crucial to my success. In this image, a Northern Gannet is diving off the back of the boat in an attempt to catch migrating herring. The way they contorted their bodies to dive was impressive to say the least. If you’re having trouble figuring it out, this birds belly is facing towards me, his neck is twisted around nearly 180 degrees, and he is upside down!
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Kari Post on 25 Mar 2008 at 10:38 am #
Awesome pose! Too bad there aren’t some wispy white clouds in the background but this is a sweet photo. Nice job babe!
Mark on 29 Mar 2008 at 8:36 am #
I always thought these were the coolest birds. Have wanted to photograph them for years. Are they at this spot only certain times of the year?
Chris Kayler on 29 Mar 2008 at 7:00 pm #
Hi Mark,
I think they are around as long as the Herring are running … which I believe is usually March - early April.
Norb Novocin on 29 Mar 2008 at 7:26 pm #
Hi Chris,
We rode the ferry this last Sunday, the 23rd and were stunned at the thousands of Northern Gannets following the ferry from New Jersey to Delaware. Were you one of the photographers on that trip? Do you have any pictures of the vast clouds of these Gannets? Thanks,
Norb
olivia on 31 Mar 2008 at 6:29 pm #
Fantastic capture!