Yellow-rumped Cacique

Gallery: AvianPosted April 22, 2011122 views11 comments

Since it has been raining for what seems like weeks, I have been spending time doing some spring cleaing in my files. This one was from Panama in Jan 2010. I was in a private canopy tower by a Balsa Tree. The Balsa flowers are huge and filled with nectar that attracts birds, bats, and animals at all hours of the day. Many of the species of Caciques and Oropendula feed on the nectar with the use of their longer beaks. They develop a nice sugar ring around their necks throughout the morning. In the larger photo, you can see the pollen around the head. Comments/critiques welcomed.

Canon 1D Mk3 | 600mm f/4 +1.4x TC
ISO 1000, 1/320@f/8, AvMode, Eval -2/3
LR3.3, curves adj, lightened shadows, sharpening

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 22, 2011 at 11:04 AM

Bryan: Really enjoying the details and the pose. Larger version really shows off this image. The OOF branch in the front is a big distraction for me though. Dang branch.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on April 22, 2011 at 11:05 AM

That's the challenge of a rainforest. Oh well, it was my best shot of this species.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 22, 2011 at 12:33 PM

Very interesting bird and nice image quality in this. The body position really shows off that massive beak. Although the foreground branch is not ideal I don't think it ruins the image and I'd be happy to have taken this as presented.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 22, 2011 at 1:35 PM

Shots are rarely ideal in the rainforest, and the OOF branch doesn't bother me a bit.
Great pose, fine detail and great exposure of this unusual bird.
Excellent!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 22, 2011 at 2:50 PM

I like the detail on the larger version, the foreground branch is not a big deal for me as there is enough quality on the rest of the image, good job in getting this difficult shot, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 22, 2011 at 3:19 PM

Brian, the exposure is spot on allowing for all those great colors including the blue eye. This image holds my attention. Nice work.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 22, 2011 at 8:01 PM

Nice and sharp with a neat pose too.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 23, 2011 at 9:20 AM

Fantastic detail Bryan and nice eye contact.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 23, 2011 at 9:35 AM

What an awesome looking bird Brian. I like that blueish eye a lot. Nice DOF and exposure. Branch not a big deal to me

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

Comment posted by Murali Santhanam on April 23, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Nice looking bird. Beautiful picture.

Registered on July 31, 2008, 43 Posts, 331 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on April 23, 2011 at 12:03 PM

What a fantastic look at this species, Bryan! Lovely background, great pose and head turn. Exposure is dead on and there are tons of details in the larger version. The oof branch on the front is unfortunate, but does not detract much from a great image in difficult conditions.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments