Guadalupe Murrelet by Ken _Gilliland
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Admittedly, I always have a soft spot for "local" birds for me (Southern California) or ones I've personally seen. The Guadalupe Murrelet checks both boxes. The Murrelets (and Ring-billed Gulls in the distance) will be part of my upcoming Seabirds v3. The Murrelet is chowing down on one of my Krill models. I created the krill way back when (2008) for my Penguins to eat (and released it as a "DAZ original"). I'll probably redo it at some point since its good seabird food.
The endangered Guadalupe Murrelet is found at sea and on offshore rocks and islands of northwestern Baja California (San Benito Islands and Guadalupe Island); some sightings on San MartÃn Island (Baja California), and San Clemente Island and Santa Barbara Island (Channel Islands, off southern California). It is endangered thanks to humans introducing predators such as feral cats to its island nesting grounds. Other threats are drowning in drift gill-nets, nest-site disturbance, bright lights used by the squid fishery that cause disturbance and mortality, organochlorine pollution, and changes in sea temperature associated with global climate change. Less than 5,000 birds are left with a declining population trend.
The murrelet is a relatively small seabird measuring 9-9.8 inches (23-25 cm) in length. It differs from the similar Scripp's Murrelet by the more extensive white surrounding the eye. Sexes are alike in appearance, although the female is usually significantly larger than male. Around Santa Barbara Island during nesting period, it eats entirely larval fish (especially northern anchovies, Pacific sauries and rockfish). Elsewhere, it feeds on unidentified crustaceans and sand lance.
Rendered in Firefly without any postwork.

Comments (7)
Awesome job
fantastic render
Superb realistic beauties, wonderful composition, great atmosphere and lighting, brilliant awesome render.
Magnificent Masterpiece of Finest Arts. I love it!
So true to life Ken. Lovely nature scene!
What a wonderfully natural scene! But how sad to learn that the Guadalupe Murrelet are endangered!
Less than 5,000 are left that is horrific :( They are stunning and your image my friend is beautiful :)
You really bring your bird renders to life!