Purple Swamphen

Gallery: AvianPosted January 25, 2011213 views13 comments

Hi everyone, I've just returned from leading a 2 week trip in Thailand and am working through the jetlag. Here's an image from the trip. This was taken at Beung Borapet, which is the largest freshwater lake in Thailand and a great place to photograph waterbirds. It's full frame.

This species is in the rail/gallinule family and is a bit like our Purple Gallinule but quite a bit bigger. This individual is of the Gray-headed race.

MkIII 500F4 1.4x 1/1250 F7.1, iso 800, evaluative metering at 0, AI Servo, Handheld from boat

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 25, 2011 at 1:57 PM

Neat shot Nate. Love the action. If you ever want to get more images of these birds at a location much closer to home just come to S. Florida. We have thousands. Another exotic who's population is growing fast.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 25, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Very nice dynamic shot, Nate. You were really good to handhold such a long lens on a boat !
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 25, 2011 at 4:11 PM

Welcome home Nate!!!

By the looks of this photo, you had a great trip. Excellent action, love the splayed foot and flying water drops. A Beauty

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 25, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Wow-he looks as thought he's screaming across that lake-did you clock his speed?

Great action captured and a very interesting looking bird Nate. Welcome home.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on January 25, 2011 at 6:24 PM

Wonderful action and especially that long stride, Nate. Look forward to more from your trip!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 25, 2011 at 6:34 PM

Great action shot Nate! Love those feet.

Dan

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 25, 2011 at 9:11 PM

Neat action shot Nate, great setting, love the flying water droplets

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 25, 2011 at 9:27 PM

I like it Nate. Nice sharp capture and interesting action.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 25, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Hi Nate

The extended striding legs make this picture

looks like this bird can give the roadrunner competition

Glad to have you back

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 26, 2011 at 3:34 AM

Great shot Nate - wonderful detail and you've caught him at full stretch

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 26, 2011 at 5:34 AM

Love the action. Looks like a combination of running and flight. Beautiful all the way around.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 26, 2011 at 8:20 AM

Really like the action pose and setting here Nate, great details/exposure.
Looking forward to some excellent shots from this trip

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 26, 2011 at 8:35 AM

great action, Nate! love the extended feet and flying water drops. welcome back!

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