Bob the Builder

Gallery: AvianPosted July 16, 2012340 views19 comments

Southern Masked Weaver.
I've been wanting an image like this for a while.

These guys are swift and erratic, but on this occasion I had a vantage point where I could prefocus on the nest and keep my other eye open for when he would return with another "building block" for the nest. The males construct multiple nests pending the approval of his mate. She inspects the home, and if she disapproves, she rips it apart to let it fall in the water below...and he has to start over.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
f8.0 @ 1/2500 SS @ ISO-1800 (auto ISO)
Cropped from horizontal format

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 16, 2012 at 7:18 PM

Sounds like grounds for divorce to me. But, seriously this is a fantastic shot. Beautiful wing display, excellent detail, all just great.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on July 16, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Talk about ungrateful! I love your image. I hope she moves in. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on July 16, 2012 at 8:34 PM

Fantastic image and a great narrative.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on July 16, 2012 at 10:46 PM

Really great image Morkel. Nice work getting this image with some great planning. Technical details are superb!

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

Comment posted by David Williams on July 16, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Good story and a wonderful photo, Morkel. Love the colors and the detail is superb.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 16, 2012 at 11:43 PM

fantastic! great vision and execution. love the composition, and the colors, pose and sharpness are really great. congrats on a real winner!

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 17, 2012 at 6:18 AM

thanks so much folks...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on July 17, 2012 at 6:36 AM

Excellent action shot, Morkel. Superb detail & pose.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on July 17, 2012 at 7:30 AM

Very nice Morkel. Great light and action. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on July 17, 2012 at 9:57 AM

Gorgeous shot!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on July 17, 2012 at 10:56 AM

wow outstanding moment and quality, congrats to great shot!!!

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on July 17, 2012 at 10:13 PM

Very cool Morkel! Must have been an incredible experience to observe and you captured it beautifully.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 18, 2012 at 4:28 AM

Incredible Catch Morkel!!! Excellent Work

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 18, 2012 at 10:21 AM

Great action, Morkel.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 18, 2012 at 3:16 PM

Wonderful timing, excellent shot with the wing spread out and also showing the nest. Interesting to read about their behavior, well done, the larger image was a pleasure to view.

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

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on July 18, 2012 at 3:38 PM

This is an awesome shot. The position of the bird really shows off his colors and provides a visual anatomy lesson of the wing feathers. Really an excellent photo well worth your time to be sure. The story that goes along with it is interesting as well. Nicely done and thanks for sharing.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 19, 2012 at 3:27 AM

Great shot Morkel - great detail in the bird and nest

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 19, 2012 at 3:42 AM

Suberb!!

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on July 21, 2012 at 11:13 AM

Morkel, This is awesome. Great wing spread with amazing detail. Love the story as well.

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