Cuban Parrot

Gallery: AvianPosted January 6, 201185 views9 comments

Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala)

This is actually a subspecies of the Cuban Parrot (A. l. caymanensis) endemic to Grand Cayman and limited to that island. I photographed it there recently in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. I was lucky: this particular parrot liked these buds so much that it flew where I could obtain a clear shot of it while its friends remained deep in the bush. It stayed for several minutes while I clicked away with my flash equipped with a Better Beamer no less. Since the 10 frames per second shooting speed of the camera exceeded the recharge time for the flash I obtained several shots without the flash too. There was a very noticeable fill flash effect. The flash was a definite improvement even though natural light over the bird was pretty good. I understand that some of you don't like to use flash with birds. However, this bird is an example of one that didn't mind it in the least.

The image required a minimal level of processing except for removal of an OOF branch remote from the bird that was a bit distracting.

I like the detail here. The bill and tongue are particularly interesting.

All comments very welcome.

1D Mark IV, EF100-400 f/4.5-f/5.6, hand held, 580 EX II, Better Beamer: 330mm, ISO 500, 1/640 s, f/10, 0 EV, 9.9 MP after cropping, usual NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 6, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Very nice, Steve. Nice clear image and I like the behavior.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on January 6, 2011 at 7:03 PM

Well captured, Steve. Very nice use of the flash. I too like the detail.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 6, 2011 at 9:10 PM

Busy environment but it works for this one. Nice & sharp, great use of your flash to fill lightly. I like this side POV and open beak pose as well

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 6, 2011 at 9:39 PM

Wonderful setting, and neck stretch as he reaches for that berry. Certainly a terrific shot for telling the story you're trying to tell. I'm not completely sold on the squarish comp...Not sure if I'd like it better as a vertical or not.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 6, 2011 at 9:42 PM

Nice shot. Really must see the larger version for the detail in that powerful beak. Good use of your beamer.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 7, 2011 at 4:33 AM

Impressive shot, Steve. And a very impressive bird. Great detail, well presented. Congrats on getting such a clear view.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 7, 2011 at 8:09 PM

I do not use flash but it is a tool and I do not mind it being used. I love the capture here it has everything.IMO

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 7, 2011 at 9:58 PM

cool bird and a great stretched out pose, Steve. the brown leaf in front of the bird is a slight distraction, but not something that could be helped. love that open bill and tongue.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 7, 2011 at 10:12 PM

Nice setting Steve and very effective use of the flash

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments