PELICAN BRIEF Photo

Photographer’s Note

PELICAN BRIEF

About five hours south of Washington, DC, and off the coast of North Carolina, are located a group of barrier islands. Known as the 'Outer Bank,' they include some of the best beach areas on the East Coast of the United States. They also include the site of Kitty Hawk, where the Wright Brothers first proved the plausibility of heavier than air flight in December of 1903.

 We had spent a week on a family vacation in the town of Corolla in the Outer Banks, savoring the almost perfect weather that had prevailed for a week. On the morning of our departure for Virginia, we drove out to a desolate beach north of Corolla, where no roads exist — just sand, water and wild ponies, descendants of horses said to have been abandoned by Spanish Conquistadores almost five hundred years ago (see ws).   Driving on terrain where only four-wheel drive vehicles are permitted, I kept seeing a small flock of pelicans flying north and south. They were patrolling the shore, clearly in search of breakfast. Guided by a skillful leader, they were skimming the surface of the waves — flapping, coasting, flapping again... and suddenly diving! When I found a clearing, a flat patch of sand, I pulled over and rapidly shot half a dozen images, each prettier than the last. In this photo the pelicans make a subtle appearance below the sunburst effect.

This is the first of a series of photos I will be posting during the next few weeks.  The name, 'Pelican Brief,' is inspired by the title of a 1993 Hollywood film, starring Julia Roberts and Denzell Washington, and has nothing to do with the brief appearance of the birds.

Warm regards to my Trekearth friends.

ciakgiak, shevchenko, macondo, danyy, snunney, papagolf21, jhm, meltemi, ifege, feather, ChrisJ, BWJ, Kielia, axiotea, gokanlam, Vasa, Didi, gunbud, bakes888, Roccos, asajernigan, stego, yedirenk, paura, JCG, paololg, robertosalguero, MLINES, emjleclercq, ghilain, Cretense, pablominto, ahmetgedikli, bostankorkulugu, isabela_sor, Cricri, AiresSantos, parbo, josepmarin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

phwall (5560) 2009-07-06 15:35

Hello Bulent,
A very pretty scene, the clouds have wonderful depth and the silver light on the water is captured perfectly.
Interesting that the Pelicans were cruising the wave tops looking for schools of fish, normally, (in my experience) they swim along, stealthily approaching unsuspecting fish and use their long neck and beak to pluck the fish from under the water. This style of catching fish by flying along then diving is more the style of the Gannet. They must have been following a fast swimming species along the shoreline.
Lovely shot, tfs.
Regards
Peter

ciakgiak (10678) 2009-07-06 16:46

Hello Bulent,
what a magnificent atmosphere you captured here, I like a lot this silver water and the effect of the rays of the sun.
The fly of the pelicans complete a splendid image.
Congratulations and TFS.
Friendly regards.
Giorgio

rlrad (1187) 2009-07-06 18:07

Hi Bulent,

Nice morning you caught there with that almost break in the weather. Such a beautiful place, too, some of my favorite areas nearby. The pelican is a great hunter, no? A great beggar, too! I was watching some white pelicans on the Mississippi last January while eagle viewing - they were exhibiting the same behavior over the river.

Nice sunbeams, great capture of a quiet moment at the Outer Banks!

Regards,
Reed

shevchenko (9908) 2009-07-06 21:11

Hi Bulent,
Impressive seascape in fantastic color and lighting, clear to show tides, good capture to the ray of soft sunlight and flying birds in a row, good shoot.
Ally

macondo (13099) 2009-07-06 22:44

Greetings, Bulent.
The sun's rays and their light glinting on the sea's surface attracted me to this photo. The pelicans skimming over the waves make a great sight. It's really a picture of blue tones, against which the clouds stand out superbly, paralleling the wave tops in the lower third. I must say that whenever I see a group of pelicans in flight I tend to think of them as a 'squadron', so majestic and imperious do they look. They are formidable looking birds in full flight.
A very nice piece of work, Bulent.
Regards,
Andrew

danyy (68710) 2009-07-06 22:45

Bonjour Bulent,
de bien splendides lumières ici et un grand bravo pour lur capture et leur restitution.
Une mer argentée qui rejette plus de luminosité que ce cile menaçant.
What a mood !!
Et puis ce cadrage qui évite le centrage de l'horizon.
Joli coup d'oeil.
Regards.
Daniel.

snunney (34830) 2009-07-07 0:48

Hello Bulent,
A lovely seascape simply composed but very effective with the rays of sunlight slanting down and the pelicans skimming across the water. Beautiful light and calming tones. A very pleasing image. Well done.

papagolf21 (56335) 2009-07-07 1:28

Bonjour, mon bon ami Bulent,
Vagabonder à la surface des océans est souvent source de sérénité et, parfois, permet de tutoyer ses rêves. S'y immerger, c'est s'ouvrir à son observation et à sa compréhension.
La beauté de cette image est patente et les rais de lumière un plus incontestable.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jhm (82461) 2009-07-07 3:33

Hello Dear Bulent,

Thank you very much for your interesting note as usual.
The sunbeams make this picture very attractive, a wonderful contrast photograph, I like the wonderful sky, the birds is a nice addition.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ifege (1757) 2009-07-07 3:41

A beautifully captured scene Bulent,
You found just enough light to show off the pelicans (although I wouldn't have picked them for being pelicans without your note). You've made good use of the clouds and the rays of sunlight. Congratulations on a great photo.
regards
Ian

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-07-07 4:24

Bulent, this one I like a lot, the light through the clouds is awesome and the timing on the birds is perfect, great work.

Greg

feather (49860) 2009-07-07 4:27

I love the effects one gets shooting into the sun if only one can control the glare. You have done so admirably and caught the 'God's rays' too. The glinting light on the water provides the perfect background for the silhouetted pelicans.
I can't remember the film, but I read Grisham's book of the same name. - holiday reading probably.
Kath

lraew (42) 2009-07-07 6:00

Beautiful capture. The depth of the blue enhances the power that the ocean there posesses. Having enjoyed many vacations there this picture transports me to the edge of the sand. The pelicans are a true entertainment to behold! Great photo.

ChrisJ (70171) 2009-07-07 7:24

Hello Bulent

I like the silvery sheen on the water & the silhouetted pelicans. The sunbeam rays emanating from behind the clouds, add dramatic light contrasts. Tfs!

Charo (31671) 2009-07-07 9:37

Hello Bulent,
Beautiful image with the birds over the sea and the sun's rays down to the water.
A whole beauty of the simple nature. Bravo!
Best wishes,
Charo

Kielia (8465) 2009-07-07 11:10

Hello Bulent,
this is a very fine capture of the coast! Very well working POV on the sea and on these beautiful clouds, wonderful colors and an amazing light that creates magnificent contrasts. Excellently composed impression. I also like your note! TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

leonorkuhn (13559) 2009-07-07 12:16

Hi Bulent,

I like this peaceful atmosphere with the sun rays through the clouds and the birds living in freedom.
Excellent composition!

Have a nice day
Leonor

axiotea (16081) 2009-07-07 21:52

Bonjour Bulent
The sunrays filtering through the clouds gave a special luminosity and a silverish shiny texture to the sea.
Have a nice day
Marilyn

Vasa (5500) 2009-07-08 1:56

Superb meeting, Bulent friend. The atmosphere is dramatic, the light is mysterious, your idea is generous. The God is just above.

All compliments friend, and all friendship for you!

Branko

gokanlam (6429) 2009-07-08 1:58

bu fotografa bakarak ne siirler yazilir.. dingin bir hava, sonsuzluk hissi.. harika bir paylasim Bulent Bey,
selamlar..
rela

Didi (36078) 2009-07-08 10:41

Hi dear Friend
Well it's a very simple nice composition but the lights are great with the incidental sun rays and a silver ocean.
Nice moment for photography.
Best regards

gunbud (27833) 2009-07-08 19:57

Hi Bulent,
Wonderful strong beams of light are seen descending from the heavens above.
Love the beautiful silver blue sky and shining silver sea below.
Regards, Tom

bakes888 (18165) 2009-07-09 3:18

Hi Bulent. Just beautiful, exquisite light and wonderful colour palette. A scene of texture and patterns. Well seen and captured, thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Roccos (205) 2009-07-09 3:46

Olá Bulent.
A serenidade desta composição é maravilhosa, transmitindo paz e beleza com os raios solares passando pelas nuvens. A nitidez e o colorido ficaram ótimos! Parabéns.

Ney

asajernigan (14120) 2009-07-09 5:11

Bulent,
Great shot with it's impending weather. The streaks of sunlight are a nice addition to the shot. The pelicans give the scene a sense of life and motion. The waves create nice lines through the shot.
TFS,
Asa

aadilj (17950) 2009-07-09 7:06

Hi Bulent, this is supremely divine and absolutely well compsoed and controlled. I love the impact of the water and those lights as they stream down

jemaflor (39323) 2009-07-09 10:45

Hi Bulent,
Nice light through this cloudy sky, good result well captured.

stego (22352) 2009-07-09 16:09

Hello Bülent,
Wonderful light and sky, skilfully registered in photo. The birds flying low enhance a certain magic and nostalgia.
I don't relate the photo with the film, but that doesn't diminish my admiration for it. It's the kind of image that it's relaxing just to look at it... Simple, but very beautiful!
Warm regards,
José

yedirenk (7345) 2009-07-09 17:23

merhaba Bülent hocam,
oldukça zengin detaylarla enfes bir tablo bu.ışık huzmeleri,kuşlar,deniz ve gökyüzü harika bir uyum içinde.huzur verici bir görüntü ve sonsuzluk hissi.ellerinize sağlık.selamlar,sevgiler

Cevdet

photoray (1276) 2009-07-10 5:56

Hello Bulent,

As with everyone else an appealing image, the darkness offset by sun rays, and one of my favorites, pelicans flying low to the ocean in formation.

Also note the Pelican Brief was written by John Grisham, one of my favorites.

Thanks for sharing,

Ray

PS: The Outer Banks are also a great place to windsurf.

Graal (57885) 2009-07-11 0:07

Hi Bulent,
amazing sea, good shot. I like the sun rays, contrast and flying birds. An interesting note, too. Good photojob.
Gr., Aleksander

paura (38348) 2009-07-11 5:30

Bulent,
Uma beleza de trabalho aqui, com elementos que lembram a profundeza do espírito. Linda fotografia.

Abraço

Paulo

JCG (25291) 2009-07-11 6:22

Bonjour Bülent,

I remember this very good police film, palpitating from beginning to end and that we saw again on French television not a long time ago. The lights of this photograph are sublimes and create a surrealist atmosphere I find. This row of pelicans adds much to your composition. Pretty and pleasant photograph, thank you Bülent.

With all my friendships of Versailles and with soon,

Jean-Charles

paololg (13743) 2009-07-11 9:16

Ciao dear friend,
this image is a true pleasure for the eyes and for the soul. A photo that leads us to the dimension of the uncontaminated nature, where the sky suggests us a mystical moment of meditation. With this image you make us understand the emotion in the moment of the shot. Very beautiful also the WS, compliments!
Ciao, have a nice Sunday!
Paolo
PS: looking at the list of my preferred photographers I have seen that you are not there. A serious forgetfulness on my behalf that I have immediately resolved :-) You are an excellent photographer and a man that it spreads the culture in the world.

Wandering_Dan (3221) 2009-07-11 10:21

Merhaba, Bulent -

A nice ocean scene; I wouldn't have known the birds for pelicans, but I do like the rays and the overall minimalism. A powerful mix of sky and sea.

Best,
Dan

alvaraalto (5231) 2009-07-11 11:30

Dag Bulent,

The beautiful light, both in the sky and in the water, makes this picture very special in its genre.
The dark birds accentuates the light even better.

Groet Rob

anesugur (16846) 2009-07-11 14:05

Merhaba Hocam,
Bulutları arasından süzülen ışıklar da, sıra halinde uçan kuşlar da harika görünüyor.
Selamlar. Uğur

devimeuxbe (55865) 2009-07-11 15:09

Hi Bullent
The contrast is really amzing here with the beautifull ray of light. The timing also is perfect with the birds
excellent picture
Well done
Bertrand

emka (21369) 2009-07-11 15:10

Hi Bulent, Very atmospheric photo. The sunrays coming from the clouds are very impressive. It looks a bit like before the storm , the sea is so plumb grey. Nice pelicans, I like them . Unfortunately, we do not see pelicans at large in Europe. When i was in Daytona I often observed the flying. Great light.

Warm regards

Malgorzata

meltemi (9746) 2009-07-12 2:09

Hello Bulent,
nice palette in the sky from soft pastels to dark colours and nice soft light and of course a charming composition. I like the water at the bottom of the frame, it looks like an impressionist painting. The positioning of the pelicans is perfect allowing you to capture a good exposure in the sky and sea and at the same time create appealing silhouettes.
Very beautiful.
All the best.
Stella

jurek1951 (25978) 2009-07-12 22:52

Hi Bulent,
Beautiful shot nicely composed and presented,
with great colors and details,
Georg

robertosalguero (110) 2009-07-12 23:02

Hello Bulent,

The light filtering through the clouds give this image a spiritual feeling. You caught a very peaceful and pleasant view of the sea. The sea gulls add a more interesting element to the image. Good work Bulent :-)

Roberto

MLINES (10880) 2009-07-13 5:17

Hi Bulent, A beautiful capture of nature with those shafts of light which turn this into an alluring composition. The presence of the birds is important, and they are there in a subtle, appropriate way. The split between sea and sky is good, much better than a 50:50 split. TFS. Murray.

windosil (770) 2009-07-13 9:00

Dear Bulent,
This gives a great sensation of the power of these relatively small waves as they attack and withdraw from the shore. The clouds and the pelicans ignore the waves but their lines make the structure of your composition.
Interesting description of the pelicans, too. It had never occurred to me that they fly - my knowledge of them is based on a book of my schooldays and the rhyme which children delighted to quote: "What a wonderful bird is the pelican - its beak can hold more than its belican".
Hoping I won't be drummed out of TE for not being always serious,
Winifred

emjleclercq (14276) 2009-07-13 12:54

Very nice sea view, with the bright rays of light over this dark sky and the flight of birds.

All the best,

Emmanuel

ghilain (1714) 2009-07-13 13:17

Hello Bulent,

This is a simple and efficient shot! Excellent management of light!
Thanks for your instructive note!

TFS

brigitte

Cretense (56004) 2009-07-13 16:49

Hello, dear Bulent!

Fantastic nature photography, very atmospheric and very poetic reminds me of some scenes from movies by a great greek film director, Theo Angelopoulos. Great framing and composition, but true magic here, can be found in the majestic light managment! we can almost sea each and every sunray, passing through the clouds! Congratulations, my dear friend!

Warm regards,
Hercules

PS. In a week's time, I 'll have my August "schedule" fixed. I 'll send you an e-mail, as soon as I return from a trip to Kythera.

dvlazar (6476) 2009-07-13 18:26

Nice atmospheric lighting in this shot - but the rays from the sun really make it grab attention. The pelicans are a nice bonus.

Dave

pablominto (40600) 2009-07-14 2:14

Hello Bulent,

The colour palette, with hues of blue and gray is awesome, in a maritime scene illuminated by rays seeping through the dark clouds!
The atmosphere is wonderfully recorded, I feel I'm there...

Greetings,
Pablo -

ahmetgedikli (21877) 2009-07-15 12:08

Hocam yüzüncü puanları vermek bana nasip oldu yine... Bulutlardan sızan ışık hüzmeleri, kuşlar deniz güzel görünüyor.
Ellerinize sağlık, selamlar.
Ahmet

bostankorkulugu (33532) 2009-07-16 12:03

tanrısal ışığı ve orantısıyla müthiş bir kare olmuş profesör, elinize sağlık... ağustos başında buralardayım, görüşelim mutlaka... haber bekliyorum sizden...

Bluejeans (32227) 2009-07-18 2:16

Ola Bulent,
Uma imagem bem serena junto do mar , com uma luz e cores maravilhosas , lindo os Pelicanos a voarem rente da agua , gostei muito da luz a passar pelas nuvens , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom fim de semana

salvator (18809) 2009-07-22 0:03

Hello Bulent Bey,
Wonderful light and colors. The sharpness also looks superb. Wonderful details on the crest.
Best regards. Salvator.

Angshu (33637) 2009-07-22 21:48

Hello Professor'A'
The sunrays in a diagonal through the clouds, is simply divine. Like how parts of the water shine witha silvery sheen as the rays hit the surface. the pelicans are quire small in this frame, but they do add to the composition. I loved your play of words here!
With Warmest regards
Angshuman

isabela_sor (42136) 2009-07-22 22:28 [Comment]

Show Comment

jrj (34779) 2009-07-24 2:44

A special place captured very well in this setting of the early morning. The light beams for sure makes a most interesting effect and detail in the composure as the pelicans in their natural habitate. Again a well disposed work Bulent under the rules of 3.

Cricri (43092) 2009-07-24 11:34

Hi Bulent
Très belle capture des effet du soleil avec le vol des oiseaux, belle brillance de l'eau, très belle présentation
Have a nice week end
cricri

AiresSantos (42040) 2009-07-26 5:54

Hi dear Bulent
Great picture with many pelicans. I also like the sun beams and the reflections in the water
Very good photowork
All the best
Aires

BWJ (1773) 2009-07-28 7:03

Hello Bulent,
It is absolutely beautiful! I love the rays of sunlight streaming down through the clouds on the glistening silvery blue Atlantic water. The pelicans are flying in perfect formation for you to photograph them. Lovely cloud formations add interest to an already magnificent scene.
Kind regards,
Betty

COSTANTINO (22671) 2009-08-02 11:44

Hello
thanks for sharing with us this artistic photo in silver.The rays make the shot moreimpressive and I can almost feel the movement of the sea.
Nice composition well done and well seen
regards
Costantino

parbo (10970) 2009-08-06 17:48

Hello Mr. Atalay,

The lights in your breathtaking scene are just fantastic with masterful capture of sunbeams. I liked reflection of lights on sea and silhouettes of birds. Another great photo from your portfolio, congratulations.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

MarianneS (14264) 2009-08-28 14:06

Hi Bulent,
On arriving on your gallery, I am coming back to this very nice photo! I like how you captured the rays of the sun, passing through the clouds.
The birds are the cherrish on the cake here.
Beautiful composition!
Have a nice week-end,
Marianne

anokutan (7595) 2009-09-04 13:22

Bülent bey merhaba,
Tablo tadında nefis bir çalışma.Tebrikler.Selamlar.

josepmarin (33785) 2009-09-12 9:00

Hi Bulent,
The low flight of the pelicans on the sea with silver tones, the cloudy sky, and especially, the sunbeams that cross the clouds and illuminate the water, form a very beautiful composition.
It is a very elegant and perfectly executed capture.
Best regards,
Josep