Jolly Jumper

Gallery: AvianPosted June 23, 2011120 views13 comments

This is an image of a Cape Rock Jumper. For many years I had images in my head of this beauty and when I discovered where they could be found, I made a few fruitless trips in search of the Rock Jumpers. Then I went again early one morning and walked up into the mountain. Here I came across a male and a female very busy feeding two youngsters. The light was great and I kept following them at a distance wary of not disturbing them.

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Author Neal Cooper
Shooting Mode Shutter-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/2500
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 400
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Focal Length 500.0mm
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Servo AF

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on June 23, 2011 at 3:23 PM

Unique bird. I like the sharpness in the faced and head. But, think it is a bit crowded, alittle space all around would help IMHO. Thanks for sharing, glad you got a chance to photograph them.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 23, 2011 at 4:08 PM

Awesome that you finally got the shots you wanted of this species Neal. Really a cool looking bird. Love the light, colors, and pose. The only thing I may have done differently would have been to close down the aperture a bit so the tail, far leg and foot, and near wing tip would have been sharper. With 1/2500s to play with I think you could have closed down and kept enough SS. At ISO 500 you also has plenty of higher ISO to work with. Just an observation on a very nice shot of a really cool bird.

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

Comment posted by Verdon on June 23, 2011 at 4:35 PM

awesome shot, very good quality detail...

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 23, 2011 at 6:04 PM

A lovely bird, and a nice posture for the image. Slightly over sharpened in the larger version.

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

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on June 23, 2011 at 6:44 PM

Great detail and pose.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on June 23, 2011 at 7:14 PM

Beautifully captured Neal. Love the perspective and the 'pose' of the bird.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 23, 2011 at 9:58 PM

Lovely image. Beautiful rich colors and the light gives a glow to the bird. I like the line that the extended neck creates. Well done.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 24, 2011 at 9:09 AM

Cool looking bird well captured! I like this as-is.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on June 24, 2011 at 3:01 PM

Neal, I am enjoying this image for a few reasons; new bird for me to see, techs are right on, and the composition with a diagonal from tail to beak. I have come back to it a couple times. Thanks for posting.

Harry

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 24, 2011 at 8:00 PM

Great light and pose! Great detail in the bird as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 24, 2011 at 10:38 PM

Really amazing capture. Love the head tilt and the colors.I have to agree with Ron and Richard on there comments but the image is a definate keeper IMO

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 24, 2011 at 11:47 PM

Missed these, now I'm even more pissed off that I did - wonderful light, clouor and detail Neal

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 25, 2011 at 7:04 AM

Stunning shot Neal! First time I've ever seen this beautiful species and looks like you've done it great justice. The pose, the colours, the superb detail, everything is wonderfully spot on in this frame, very well done :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments