Pic(k) of the week 5: FLYING IN GROUND EFFECT - Fujifilm X-T2 and XF100-400 lens

As a pilot, we tend to look at birds and more specifically the way they fly, differently compared to most non-aviators. The image below of a seagull flying in ground effect is a typical of example of that. 

For all non-pilots, in simple terms, ground effect is the increased lift and decreased drag a wing experiences when flying close to a relatively flat surface. For a bird this means that less effort is needed to stay in the air; something that can often we seen when a bird is skimming a water surface like on the image below. It is generally accepted that ground effect comes into effect when one flies within a full wingspan or closer to the ground (water). 


Image details:
  • Fujifilm X-T2 with the XF100-400 lens
  • ISO 1600, f8, 1/600s
  • RAW developed in Lightroom CC, no other editing done
The image was shot early morning just before sunrise, at one of the two Ras al Khor wildlife refuges; a great place to shoot (no pun intended) birds in Dubai. Needless to say that the reflection on the calm water, makes the image stand out. 

As can be seen above the image was shot with my favourite wildlife and aviation photography lens; the great Fujifilm XF100-400 lens

More images of the Nature of the UAE (my country of residence) can be found here.

Remember: "Flight without feathers is not easy" - Plautus

BJORN

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