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Red-troated Bee-eater
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Red-troated Bee-eater

by Peter den Hartog

Gallery: AvianPosted March 4, 20051,783 views17 comments
<b>Red-troated Bee-eater <i>(Merops bullocki)</i>, Bansang Quarry, The Gambia, Dec 2004, 1Dmk2 +1.4x +400/5.6 @F10, ISO 400, 1/125s, tripod, slight crop for position</b>

A spectacular bird from The Gambia is this Red-troated Bee-eater. The colours are just amazing. Hindside is that they are very skittish. With every movement they were gone. Having no hide there was nothing else to do than to wait a long time sitting very still with my hands on the camera looking through the lens.... After a while you don't feel the pains no more...

Though I've used one round of usm, 80%, 0.5, 0. I have the feeling, now that I see it again, that the back is close to being oversharpened. I think I could get away with it....

All comments are very welcome. Especially when it comes to how to improve the picture.

Thanks

Peter

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Peter Mahoney on March 4, 2005 at 8:18 AM
Beautiful bird! It's unfortunate you couldn't capture this guy in better lighting, but very nice shot nonetheless! :toast:
Registered on January 14, 2005, 45 Posts, 232 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Muskie on March 4, 2005 at 10:31 AM
What a gorgeous bird! Also an appropriate setting for it and nice pose.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 26 Posts, 218 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on March 4, 2005 at 10:47 AM
This indeed is a beautiful Bee-eater and the capture is classical. Well done and the wait was well worth it. I am very much still on the PS CS learning stage, but have you tried adding a bit (+8-10) of contrast and saturation (+5-10)? The sharpness of the back looks alright to my eyes. :toast:
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Bob Steele on March 4, 2005 at 10:56 AM
Peter, I like everything about this image. Well done!!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments
Comment posted by Garth McElroy on March 4, 2005 at 12:29 PM
Great shot Peter. Everything works perfect here! :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments
Comment posted by Martin Creasser on March 4, 2005 at 12:50 PM
Hmmm this look familiar! :wink:

Lovely shot Peter, I can't see anything to improve on this. I love the tail spread and the comp is great.

All the best.

Martin. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 31 Posts, 469 Comments
Comment posted by Ernie Kuo on March 4, 2005 at 1:54 PM
It is a beauty. :toast:
Registered on June 10, 2004, 152 Posts, 1089 Comments
Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on March 4, 2005 at 4:00 PM
:toast: :toast:
Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments
Comment posted by Val Maples on March 4, 2005 at 6:48 PM
Great shot Peter! You're fortunate to have the patience to wait for a shot like this - I couldn't sit still long enough! Beautiful pic.

Val
Registered on February 27, 2005, 21 Posts, 21 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Dubois on March 4, 2005 at 10:31 PM
I like this a lot Peter. :toast: I wouldn't change a thing!
Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments
Comment posted by Ofer Levy on March 4, 2005 at 11:19 PM
Great colours and pose! :toast: what an amazing bird!
Registered on July 23, 2004, 172 Posts, 1513 Comments
Comment posted by Jasper Doest on March 5, 2005 at 5:15 AM
Peter, IMO certainly one of your best shots....Looking forward for more!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 371 Posts, 2101 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Fusco on March 5, 2005 at 8:34 AM
Peter -

This is an awesome shot. The color is stunning. The light is beautifully soft and renders a good range of tones.
Congrats!

- Paul
Registered on November 17, 2003, 283 Posts, 1163 Comments
Comment posted by Lee Daniels on March 5, 2005 at 10:27 AM
Beautiful! Couldn't have posed more nicely for you. A treat to see.
Registered on December 31, 2003, 115 Posts, 1657 Comments
Comment posted by Juza on March 5, 2005 at 2:58 PM
Gorgeous image Peter!
This is a spectacular bird, I love the photo as is :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments
Comment posted by Terri Norris on March 7, 2005 at 6:48 PM
Beautiful shot, Peter! Congrats on the EP! :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 395 Posts, 2402 Comments
Comment posted by Katrin Zimmer on March 8, 2005 at 11:21 AM
Hi Peter,

Great bird and a great image. Congratulations!

Viele Grüße, Katrin :wavey:
Registered on January 21, 2004, 0 Posts, 5 Comments