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Booted Rackettails Fight
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Booted Rackettails Fight

by Nate Chappell

Gallery: AvianPosted May 9, 2013484 views20 comments
Here's a shot from one of our Ecuador trips this past winter. There were a few of this species hanging around Sachatamia this past winter. I have always wanted to get an image of 2 males of this species fighting as they often do and was happy to capture one this year. This was taken on our multi-flash setups with 6 Nikon SB-26's slave flashes which automatically fire whenever any other flash fires. The background is artificial as usual with this type of image. Sugar water pumped into flower which is held by a clamp.

5DMk3 300F4 1/200 F22, iso 400, tripod

Comments

20 comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 9, 2013 at 8:31 PM
It's simply amazing what you can do with this setup Nate, the results are clearly top notch.
I've often observed the males sparring like this, but my efforts at capture never came close to this..
I've learned enough from your posts, just need the multi-flash setup to actually do it.
Hat's off to your work here, you da man! :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Carl Battreall on May 9, 2013 at 8:44 PM
I usually don't comment in the avian gallery but this image is stellar!
Registered on August 29, 2007, 24 Posts, 222 Comments
Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on May 9, 2013 at 8:56 PM
Wow, great set-up for an outstanding picture, :toast:
Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 9, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Very well made, Nate. I can't find anything to object to here!
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on May 9, 2013 at 9:33 PM
Excellent image! Great capture of the action!
Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Jeff Lewis on May 9, 2013 at 9:39 PM
Wow, that's amazing! :toast:
Registered on January 29, 2013, 9 Posts, 89 Comments
Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 9, 2013 at 11:16 PM
This has left me breathless, Nate! Only wish the second bird's face was a little more visible, though.
Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 9, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Killer Shot Nate :toast:

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on May 10, 2013 at 12:00 AM
Awesome moment !.
Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments
Comment posted by Martin Dunn on May 10, 2013 at 4:10 AM
Top shot Nate.
Everything about the setup works well. I've never used the kind of setup you describe (and probably never will) but the results are exceptional.
Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 10, 2013 at 6:30 AM
A great image Nate. Not a fan of set-ups as you know, but a great looking bird with super detail.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 10, 2013 at 7:30 AM
A hammer ! A well executed plan and set-up. Congrats on getting what you planned for ! Cheers, Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 10, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Wow Nate-what a great capture of these two sqaubbling during dinner. :toast:
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Kirk Greene on May 10, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Amazing capture! It would be great if you could see an eye on the 2nd bird but this is still a fantastic action photo! Congratulations and keep them coming! :toast: :toast:
Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on May 10, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Yowza! :eek: :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Marella on May 10, 2013 at 9:19 PM
Amazing, Nate.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 11, 2013 at 10:55 PM
I don't recall ever seeing this species before and love the tail on them. Looks like your set-ups are working very nicely indeed. You sure have a lot of great captures with this setup Nate and even with many excellent shots, I think this is one of your best.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by William Baer on May 12, 2013 at 1:05 PM
Amazing! I don't think it gets any clearer and sharper than this! I know it is a real challenge to catch these birds in any position, let alone sparing! Great timing and Great Photography!
Registered on April 1, 2013, 60 Posts, 51 Comments
Comment posted by Ray Whitt on May 13, 2013 at 9:30 PM
Just outstanding!

Ray
Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 21, 2013 at 12:13 AM
Nate: Jaw dr :eek:pping awesome action shot. Wow! >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments