1. ON ASSIGNMENT
ON ASSIGNMENT
7W W W. A F R I C AG EO G R A P H I C .CO M
was documenting the work of the Southern African
Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds
(SANCCOB) by photographing African penguins
when this gannet arrived. It was dehydrated, mal-
nourished and weak, and the species’ signature vivid
blue-rimmed eyes had dulled to a grey-blue. I was drawn
to its tragic beauty and from that day, I followed the bird’s
fortunes at SANCCOB with my camera.
The Cape gannet is one of southern Africa’s most
graceful seabirds. Whether it will continue to fly our skies
is questionable, as it has to contend with a polluted
ocean and rapidly reducing fish stocks. It breeds on just
six islands and is listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable.
This bird had taken an involuntary dip in one of
the many patches of thick black oil that defile our
oceans. Its once-bright white feathers were completely
black, stuck together by greasy globules. Oil renders
a seabird’s waterproof plumage useless, leaving it
extremely susceptible to the cold temperatures of the
Atlantic Ocean.
Too weak to be cleaned, the gannet was fed a rehy-
drating cocktail and left to sleep. As it grew stronger, it
was allowed forays into the pool, where it would splash
the water with its wings and float, taking the pressure
off its weary feet. I took this photograph shortly after
one of these swimming sessions, when the gannet was
returned to a crate outdoors for some fresh air.
I sat next to it for hours, watching and waiting for the
moment when it tucked its beak into its feathers and
went to sleep. Then I waited longer for it to open its eyes
as the sun shone through the gaps in the tree above and
highlighted both its golden feathers and the shimmer
of oil. I think it was the fly that woke the gannet from its
slumber.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH
Subject Cape gannet Morus capensis
Camera Nikon D3; Nikon 300-mm f4 lens; 1/1000 of a
second; f9; no flash.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Kenya-born Cheryl-Samantha Owen is a photographer and
writer specialising in the environment, conservation, science
and ecology, with particular reference to Africa. Her visual
style combines an artist’s eye with both a journalist’s sense
of storytelling and a scientist’s knowledge (she holds a BSc
in Environmental Science from Imperial College, London,
and an MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of
Cape Town). Sam hopes her work will
take viewers on a journey of discovery
and stir their curiosity. More than that,
she strives to provide a visual stimulus
that will encourage us all to become
better custodians of our planet.
www.samowenphotography.com
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BEAUTY IN OIL