Bee eater.

Taken from the car on a recent trip to Lesvos.
Group of about a dozen birds present. Most of them had landed on a dead tree and didn't present much of an image. However this bird did.
It had been obscuredd from view behind a bush so fortunately I had decided to move forward.

D2X's 600mm AFS II + 1.4 conv.
1/400 @ f8.
iso.125.
ex con -0.7
Colour mode II.
Tone comp less contrast.
Sharpening none.

Major.

Good to know that they are still returning to breed, after all the flood control measures which I have heard about, sounds like you were near the lower ford on the “East River”.

Had hoped to be there myself this year, but it just didn’t work out, still, I will definitely be there next year.


An excellent shot, technically faultless, showing the Bee-Eater to perfection. Great portrait.

Beautiful looking bird and composition :) I saw the one near Hereford year before last but only from a distance. It looks like there is a sharpening halo around the beak and tail but you've stated no sharpening, maybe a selection line?

Kevin when I say no sharpening that refers to in camera.

Major

Thanks for the clarification Major, in which case there is a sharpening halo visible around the beak and on the underside of the tail feathers

Hi Major,

Agree re halo, but other than that stonking image of a stunningly beautiful bird.

Regards

Rob

Hi Major

We must have passed each other daily on the east river ford without knowing it

Great shot of a bee-eater, we didn't manage them as they were only just arriving as we left (Thursday last week).

John

Hi John

This was actually taken at Fanoromani.
Did manage one at the salt pans on the last day (Wednesday) but it would appear that the main bulk were going to arrive late.

Major.

We saw plenty at Fanoromani but didn't put enough time in to getting the shot. Mine are just record shots. Were you in a small blue car with a Nikon 600mm? I only noticed two other Nikon boys besides myself the whole time I was there

I was in a small silver car with a blue car in tow.(birder)
I was there for ten days leaving on the 2nd.

Very nice