Just a word about the biology of the liquid drops at the tip of the beak...
This liquid which is a very concentrated solution of salt (sodium chloride) is the output of the birds salt gland.
Seabirds and many other marine organisms have a 'problem' with excess salt. They ingest/drink salt water and if they did not have a mechanism to excrete the salt they could not live.
Mammals (including humans) which rely solely on their kidneys for salt excretion cannot survive by drinking saltwater. Seabirds survive on saltwater by having the specialized salt gland in addition to their kidneys.
gmccroskery wrote:
That's what I call 'close up, and personal', Morris. Nice work -- love that very first shot!
Great job on an extreme exposure challenge.
Greg
Thank you Greg
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johnohio wrote:
Nice timing and good job with exposure. First one is my pick.
John
Thank you John
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louie champan wrote:
Terrific shots Morris, well done on the exposure and tack sharp.
Thank you Louie
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kdacharya wrote:
nice close up, Morris. You always expose the whites properly
Thank you KD
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Erictator wrote:
Looks like it could use a Sudafed Morris, ! Just kidding, #1 is great and the close up of the droplet has a whole other world in it, fun stuff.
Eric
Thank you Eric,
Yes the drop shows the area around the bird
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fgorga wrote:
Incredible closeups!
Just a word about the biology of the liquid drops at the tip of the beak...
This liquid which is a very concentrated solution of salt (sodium chloride) is the output of the birds salt gland.
Seabirds and many other marine organisms have a 'problem' with excess salt. They ingest/drink salt water and if they did not have a mechanism to excrete the salt they could not live.
Mammals (including humans) which rely solely on their kidneys for salt excretion cannot survive by drinking saltwater. Seabirds survive on saltwater by having the specialized salt gland in addition to their kidneys.
Thank you Frank and some usefully information about shore birds.
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Bill Gass wrote:
WOW Morris, nice work.
And that water drop...So neat.
! Just kidding, #1 is great and the close up of the droplet has a whole other world in it, fun stuff.