Birds 2012

[Juanito200]

Mark- You've done very well on your outing. I love the photo of the Blackcap, it looks like you caught him in the moment of full blast calling. The fact that he is framed on 3 sides by the twigs is a nice bonus. I've always wondered what a Coot looks like. I've only used coot to describe a person, as in "old coot"! I wonder if those birds have a cranky disposition, and that's how it came to be used to describe a crabby person.
I went to the local park to do some more bird shooting, specifically to try to get some action shots of the Muscovy ducks. I have come to believe that those are the most nonchalant ducks alive. I tried to provoke them into puffing up, raising their wings in protest,something other than just sitting about... All they would do is let you get about a foot from them, then slowly waddle off to the water and swim away.. So much for action! These were the best I got of them today, plus a Great Blue Heron as an added bonus. Enjoy! John

[mvanrheenen]

Hi John, thanke for the comment. Looking at your description, the Coot and the Muscovy duck aren't that different in behaviour. What you do see in Coots is that they are fiercly territorial when other Coots come nearby. That's the only action I see from Coots on a daily basis, next to swimming, eating, sleeping and flying.

Great shots though, especially the angle of the lighting on the second and fourth image. It lights the bird very nicely.

Mark

[aster]

Wow! Beautiful sets Mark and John. : )

Mark you've been very lucky to find some very cheerful buddies indeed.

John, thanks for the closups. The head features are very prominent in the last shots. : )


Yildiz

[DennisG]

Awesome pictures John "as always "
When i was at the pond shooting frogs spawning this Moorhen couple landed.
that most be the best thing being new to photography everything i shoot is new and exiting to capture

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[Birma]

The great bird shots continue

[mvanrheenen]

I went out shooting for just an hour last Monday, hadn't had the chance to process all images yet until tonight.

#1 & 2 Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

This little fellow was singing it's socks off if it had them on. It was kind enough to stay on the branch so I could get a bit closer. Made nice images if I say so myself!





#2 Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Found another Blackcap. Had it in front of my lens for more then a minutem but it just didn't want to face me. This image is titled "I'm not deaf, I'm just ignoring you!"



#3 Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Also found a pair of Tufted ducks. This is the female.



Mark

[aster]

This is so exciting!

Dennis,

What a prolific pond it is. : )

The Moorhen is a lovely bird; dark feathers and a beak as colourful as a football/soccer fan accessory. It sure is a bird of controversy.

Both images are lovely with the first beating the second by that wonderful reflection that doubles the enjoyment of the photo as a whole.

Thanks for sharing.

-------------------------------------------


Mark;

Aptly titled and shot, your most recent photos made me laugh. : ) There are quite the attitudes in these shots....

The Robin having the time of his life with a repertoir that probably was most invogerating for you while the Blackcap is gracing himself with a composure that he is not the spoilt brat of the neighbourhood, seaking fame in the frame of a photographer... : ) Well, at least that's how it looks from over here

And for the Tufted Duck, with its colouring around the eye and the dark charcoal body you captured him in such a way that, he looks like a drawing on a road sign: "Ducks may cross."

Well, thanks for sharing, it was amusing seeing these shots.


Yildiz

[mvanrheenen]

Thank you Yildiz. I'm glad these feathered clowns made you laugh!

[Argonaut]

Tanzania continued: Fischer's Lovebirds are one of the more colorful African psittacids. Compared to South America, African parrots are in dullsville, mostly. Luckily, we saw this one whose home range is fairly small (and so is the bird: 5.5 inches long). In the second photo we see the behavior that gives the family its 'lovebird' description. a580, Sigma 400, 1/1600, f16, ISO 800. In the pair photo: a579, Sigma 400, 1/400, f20, ISO 800.

The Gray Crowned-Crane is a gorgeous bird. Like the Resplendent Quetzal, it seems to have been put together for the purpose of being beautiful. I didn't get any closeups, but it's a common zoo bird that most people have seen up close. It's the national bird of Uganda, right next door. a580, Sigma 400, 1/2500, f11, ISO 800.

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[mvanrheenen]

It seems that the Lovebird had a bit of stress lately, seeing the bold spot on its wing. They are beautifully colored birds, very nice species.

I saw a documentary this week which explained why cranes have the display of feathers on their head. Just as with dinosaurs, which evolved into the birds we know now, these distinct features are used by nature to keep the chicks, juveniles and adults visibly seperate, so the birds know who is ready for reproduction and who's not. Pretty inventive if you ask me!

Mark

[Birma]

More wonder birds Mark and Argonaut. The Robin does really seem to be giving it his all in those pictures Mark, and I like the reflected duck shot.

Those are very fancy cranes Argonaut - great picture of the two of them.

[aster]

Hi Argonaut, : )

The Fischer's Lovebirds certainly are colourful and loving. For some reason though, I loved the shot of the cranes. They are very spectacular.

Thanks for the insider info on their distinctive head features and feathers, Mark. They do enjoy a neat crown at the prime of their maturity.


Yildiz

[mvanrheenen]

It's no Tanzania, but lots of birds here too! Went out with the missus on this dreary day and off course, been looking for some birds while we were there off course

#1 - Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

This male was hiding in the tall grass. After it heard the shutter go off, it ran into the bushes behind it. Didn't see it anymore.



#2 - Great Tit (Parus major)

This Great Tit was going through all the leaves in search of something to eat. I caught it with something in its mouth. Doesn't look too edible though.



#3 - Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Oh yes, my fifth singing Blackcap in one week Must be a new record somewhere



All shot with the a580 and 70-400G.

Mark

[Greg Beetham]

Great bird shots from you lot, congrats Dennis, Mark and Argonaut.
Greg

[aster]

Yet an other good set, Mark. : )

Nice find of the Pheasant. It indeed hides well in the shrubs and grass growth.




And nice to see you among us again, Greg, after a little time away. : )



Yildiz