A sailing eagle Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Kiel Canal (or Nord-Ostsee-Kanal) is the busiest manmade waterway in the world; an average of 120 ships pass through it every day. The canal crosses Schleswig-Holstein, linking the North Sea and the Baltic. This shortens the journey through the Skagerrak and round the northern tip of Jutland by 250 nautical miles. Today almost all international freight traffic - mainly container ships - sails from and to the Baltic through this canal. Passing the canal from Brunsbüttel to Kiel takes only about seven hours.
Bridges, ferries and a tunnel link the roads and rails that had been cut by the canal. Therefore all ferries crossing the Canal are free of charge!
Eagle I (Adler I) is a very busy and droll ferry, it is connecting Holtenau in the North of Kiel with Kiel-Wik. In the morning, already shortly after 5:00 clock, the diesel engine starts warming up for the first route and then crosses the 255m broad Canal approx. 140 times per day. Three very experienced captains are the “souls of the ferry”, they are familiar with all commuters using the boat. They are working in shifts: 4 days early, 4 days late and 2 days off. Duty is never boring for them, since busy traffic, huge vessels and of course difficult weather conditions like fog and storm can become a real challenge for them.

LamCam, dospordostres, Buin, holmertz, Royaldevon, phwall, gunbud, Gerrit, mafegan, bema, gracious, trekks, ktanska, macondo, JCG, fanni, clio, Polka, Cretense, alftrek, bakes888, pablominto, jusninasirun has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PixelTerror (85994) 2008-10-13 11:53

Hi Harriet,
Well exposed image of this small ferry and in the backgrouns we can get to see this big container ship confirming your note.
Have a nice evening JY

Buin (36830) 2008-10-13 11:57

Hallo Harriet!
Der eleganteste Adler, den ich bisher gesehen habe. Die tollste "Fehlbesetzung" des Jahrhunderts! ;-)) ... und dann noch diese Schräglage - hinreißend!
Ein Klasse-Foto - und ein Klasse-Kommentar!
Grüße aus dem herbstlich -sonnig-warmen Siegen!
Frank

holmertz (9250) 2008-10-13 12:43

Hello Harriet,
A really cute little boat that seems to have done its duty here for a long time. The atmosphere is nice because of the warm autumn sun and this looks like a pleasant way to cross the water with your bicycle. An interesting photo.
Kindest regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (5786) 2008-10-13 13:22

Hello Harriet,

This photograph almost tells a story on its own! The boat resembles one of those delightful, chugging ferries from children's stories! There are lots of lovely details to capture the imagination and bring the picture to life.
It is very nicely composed, using distict layers of activity.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

jurek1951 (25724) 2008-10-13 13:49

Hi Harriet,
Good shot, pleasing natural colours and excellent clarity.Good composition and presentation.
Georg

phwall (5412) 2008-10-13 13:52

Hello Harriet,
It really does look like a ferry from a children's book, such a cute little face.
Lovely early morning mood, the light adds so much to the image.
You've handled the exposure very well, the white side of the ferry could so easily have been overexposed, but the definition is still there.
Amazing to see those huge ships passing through the canal.
Lots of interesting details to look at, lovely capture.
Regards
Peter

PJE (19353) 2008-10-13 13:57

Hello Harriet. The little ferry looks a little top heavy as it makes its final turn to dock. The side lighting is excellent and frame placement of elements is very nicely balanced.

gunbud (27523) 2008-10-13 18:11

Hi Harriet,
Very tranquil scene with the young mothers patiently waiting for the ferry arrival.
Very true clear colors with excellently sharp details to this lovely autumn image.
Regards, Tom

mafegan (3949) 2008-10-13 19:06

Hello Harriet
Amazing to see this photo of this very busy waterway with two such contrasting boats - and you have added a human element to the scene with the waiting people. Well done, Marlene

danyy (67924) 2008-10-13 23:17

Bonjour Harriet,
un moyen de transport pas commun par chez moi.
Des lumières un peu 'justes', pas faciles en tous cas.
Par contre, j'aime le cadrage.
Regards.
Daniel.

bema (8423) 2008-10-13 23:19 [Comment]

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jimkilgallon (0) 2008-10-13 23:25

Hello Harriet
Excellent note to accompany this capture. The vessel shows a nice side from the shining light. The massive boat in the bg looks like it should not be in this canal but this must be pretty big canal to take these. boats. Lovely colours and mood. Well done
Regards
Jim

gracious (20017) 2008-10-14 0:31

Hello my friend Harriet,
Lovely scenery of the canal with that warm lighting over it, simply beautiful!
I loved that little ferry coming in to take the commuters that waiting!
thank you for the notes as well
well done
Tony

trekks (14260) 2008-10-14 3:15

hello Harriet

Very informative note about the canal and something new that I learn today from it. The ferry looks interesting like a box and I suppose it is only for passengers or bike without car traffic.

98km is a long canal. And I think you have a great place to shoot sunrise or sunset here?

tfs, bill

Miha2ou7 (4887) 2008-10-14 3:56

Hey Harriet,

Another interesting scene from your part of the world. The eagle looks like a cozy little ferry, and I`d ride across the river just for the sake of it - especially if it is free. :) Good shot.

Best regards.

Gerrit (35423) 2008-10-14 4:00 [Comment]

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ktanska (16393) 2008-10-14 4:07

Hi Harriet,
Funny looking little ferry. Yes, I can imagine it's interesting to work there with all the bigger ships around.
Excellent sidelight. Better PoV would be just slightly to the left. Now that pole and bigger ship get too close.
Name Adler is also related to other kinds of vehicles. It was an automobile manufacturer and the name of the first locomotive in Germany.
Kari

dumbo (4288) 2008-10-14 4:13

Hello Harriet,
Great photo of this funny little boat. I like this composition and the beautiful colors you've captured.
Well done!

Regards,
Eino

macondo (12967) 2008-10-14 4:25

Hi Harriet.
Very interesting note you have here, to inform us about the canal. I like the shot with its strong contrast and rich colours. The ship in the background adds something to the scene, too. It's a tiny ferry, isn't it! Almost like one of those little steam locomotives in the children's book, you know the 'Little Red Engine that Could' or whatever it was called. Great to see people waiting on the jetty. Very nicely done.
Regards,
Andrew

UnTrained (0) 2008-10-14 8:34

Hallo Harriet,
nein, diesen Adler im Tiefflug habe ich noch nicht gesehen. Elegant wie er gerade die Kurve nimmt und es ist doch eine sie wie alle Schiffe, die Adler. Ich wusste gar nicht, dass eine reine Personenfähre (nehme ich so mal an) dort verkehrt.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

bracasha75 (21618) 2008-10-14 10:35

Halo Harriet
Der Adler ist etwas was De. gut presentier in die welt
Der Adler war auf die DM ,dan auf die flage(immer noch) und wieso auch nicht auf diesem Fery.....
Gutes foto mit ein origineles name
Bratislav

JCG (24791) 2008-10-14 10:45

Hi Harriet,

By reading your very interesting comment, I note that this channel is a true motorway !!! This river transport is really original and seems to pitch on water… A light not easy but that you managed well I find. Instructive and well composed photograph, thank you Harriet.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

mark_mk (246) 2008-10-14 11:43

Hi Harriet,
gute Komposition, die Schärfe ist einwandfrei und das Licht ist sehr schön. Außerdem auch eine super note, muss ich sagen, gefällt mir gut. Kann mir nicht helfen, sollten Adler nicht in die Lüfte ;-)

Beste Grüße
Mark

fanni (8711) 2008-10-14 12:49

Hello Harriet,
interesting juxtaposition of two such different vessels. I like the way white colour is repeated in several objects: parts of the harbour, the distant boat and the boat in the FG. Very nice warm colour gamma!
Composition-wise, I would try moving the camera a bit to the left to add 1-2 cm on the left.
best regards,
Elena

clio (22340) 2008-10-14 14:05

Bonjour Harriet,
I like very much this way with which you presents us a world which lives around the water. I am used to that with Venice. But with your photos I discover one universe of the North where the water is omnipresent in the everyday life and it fascinates me.
Very beautiful light to stress colors and contrast, I like the presence on the same photo of the ferry and of the container ship.
Very well done!
Amicalement
Diane

Waylim (10689) 2008-10-15 13:36

It's a pity, that the cargo ship have to go through such a beautiful area full nature beauty, fact of life I guess, we do need them to deliver our goods. This is well composed image with nice soft ward light. The people waiting for the ferry add liveliness to the composition. Thanks Harriet. Your missing an image, I thought there was a stormy image with a bench near the water is missing from your gallery.
Way

Greg1949 (8507) 2008-10-16 3:18

Harriet, this is an incredible story, what a lot of work these captains must put in. Shot is nice, like a shot of a mini ferry but in reality is a huge responsibility dodging all thos ships every day. Great presentation.

Greg

Bluejeans (31529) 2008-10-16 5:42

Ola Harriet,
Bonito contraste entre estes dois barcos um bem gigante carregado de contentores outro bem pequeno de passageiros , gostei muito da luz suave , bonitos reflexos , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Polka (526) 2008-10-16 9:39

Hi Harriet,

Your picture shows us very well the activity of the canal : the freighters but too, the very small ferry and the passengers waiting for a... cruise. Very good composition and colours. Well done

Cretense (54720) 2008-10-17 4:54

Hi Harriet!

Beautiful, relaxed daily life scene, interesting photo of transportation, too! Great framing and composition, beautiful side lighting! Congratulations!

Hercules

alftrek (2693) 2008-10-17 16:59

Hello Harriet,
The morning light gave an excellent contrast for the boat and jetty which really stands out from the relatively gloomy autumn. It looks like the ferry is designed to function in cold climate, entirely enclosed. A similar ferry in the tropics would be completely open with just an open deck.
A fine post.

Alfred

bakes888 (18055) 2008-10-18 2:43

Hi Harriet. Nice capture of this little workhorse. I expect the captains need eyes in the back of their heads to do this job on such a busy waterway! Well composed to include some of that water traffic. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good Sunday. Paul.

toto (18539) 2008-10-18 4:07

Bonjours,
belle photo de ce petit bateau traverseur qui vient chercher ces gens sur la berge pour les passer de l' autre côté.
Le gros porte contener de ml' aute côté nous montre la différence de taille entre les deux.

Amitiés Thomas

COSTANTINO (22167) 2008-10-18 9:21

Hi HARRIET,
this photo brings to me memories of summer..
Pretty photo with this small ferry..
I like the atmosphre that seems lovely with these warm colours,thanks for your notes
Have a nice week end
Costantino

scroller (2877) 2008-10-18 22:48

Hej Harriet!

The boat is definetly not the most beautiful I have seen but it has a lot of charm! Its strange you call a boat like that for the eagle.. :).
Hope you are well and have a nice sunday!
Hälsningar
/Stefan

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-19 3:07

A very well taken photo with good light and atmosphere. It makes me think about distant travels!

Agnieszka

mauro61 (14564) 2008-10-19 10:37

ciao Harriet,
uno scatto dai colori caldi vivacizzato dalla presenza dei ragazzi sul pontile in attesa del piccolo traghetto.
Un' immagine che vedo usi spesso...sempre con ottimi risultati,
maurizio

claudeD (11148) 2008-10-19 11:14

Hello Harriet,

very interesting and informative shot.I like your composition and pov.Thank you for your detailed note.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

daddo (11263) 2008-10-22 4:48

Hi Harriet. I think it's the light that makes this a special shot. Judging by the way people are dressed, it must have been a coldish day, yet the light gives the scene warmth and adds life from near to afar. It's a shot with lots of atmosphere. regards. Klaudio.

pablominto (39884) 2008-10-24 0:30

Hello Harriet,

You have such funny little boats around your place!
Hopefully this one is seaworthy, I can see people waiting to cross the canal...
The design of the boat reminds me of Kristiansund N in Norway, where small boats lie this connects the four islands on which the city is located!

Greetings,
Pablo -

jusninasirun (10054) 2008-10-27 7:36

Harriet, HI. The light is just wonderful. The composition is brilliant. The sharpness and details are well managed. Really neat image and well done. Jusni

LamCam (3603) 2008-11-04 8:26

Hello Harriet,
Thank you for introducing us to this great character 'Eagle 1' Its journeys must be vital to many commuters. These details of life on the Canal are fascinating - as well as being good to look at! I hope there are still many good subjects to be found there.
Very best wishes....Maggie

jmdias (18713) 2008-11-21 14:20

harriet

I liked the strange ferry-boat. the colors and this light, this pov and sharpness are very nice too. I liked the way you framed the scene, including that poles in the water and people. well done

hugs

jorge

Edgar_Delacroix (551) 2009-01-31 9:54

Me too i remember you from this summer, and i'm very surprised by all the quality work i missed since the last time i saw your gallery. In this picture, you captured perfectly a nice water landscape. The light is very nice and there's a little touch of magic and warmth.