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Blue-bellied Rollers


Blue-bellied Rollers
Photo Information
Copyright: Zeno Swijtink (Zeno) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 0 N: 975] (8383)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-04
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-24 2:35
Viewed: 1481
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In Gambia you will see many species of rollers. I think the blue-bellied is one of the most striking.
I saw this couple in a tree near the badala park hotel.
The blue-bellied rollers is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across Africa in a narrow belt from Senegal to norteast Zaire. It is resident, apart from soem local seasonal movements, in mature moist savannah dominated by Isoberlinea trees. This roller is a large bird, nearly the size of a jackdaw at 28-30 cm. It has dark green back, white head, neck and breast, with the rest of the plumage mainly blue. Adults have 6 cm. tail streamers. Sexes are simular, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. This rollers is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the dark back and white head and the tail streamers trailing behind.
This is a common bird of warm open country with some trees. These rollers often perch prominently on trees, posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the grasshoppers and other large insects on which they feed.
mamcg, vanderschelden, darwin, Alex99, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To vanderschelden: gambia or costa ricaZeno 1 02-24 05:17
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • mamcg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 156 W: 14 N: 41] (2817)
  • [2008-02-24 2:39]

With a perfect depth of field it looks very charming, well done and TFS.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2008-02-24 3:01]

Ha Zeno,

Een prachtige compositie,die kan van mij betreft zo als illustratie in een fotoboek geplaatst worden,fraaie opname,groetjes

Paul

I thought first that these were orioles. Yes you are right they are very handsome. Composition is outstanding. TFS

I love Rollers and your image is fantastic, showing both birds perfectly clean and clear!

I'm impress though... never seeing a roller with a SO shrike-like tip of the bill! cool!

TFS

Alex
---------------------------///

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3825 W: 190 N: 11396] (35111)
  • [2008-02-24 4:13]

Hello Zeno,
A superb portait of two Lilac-bellied Rollers, with fine technical standard and beautifully composed. The POV and pose of these two rollers adds alot to the appeal of this shot.
TFS,
Regards, Ivan

Hello Zeno,

Both Rollers are sharp. Striking indeed; perched and in flight!
Good moment; sitting north and south scanning respectively east and west, image wise :-)
If you compare Central America e.g. Costa Rica to Western Africa e.g. Gambia, what's best in your opinion?
Well done
TFS
Annick

Hi Zeno
Beautiful Capture and presentation
Crystal clear image
Lovely natural color
Great catchlites
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-02-24 5:21]

Hi Zeno,
Very nice shot of this pair. Composition is very elegant. Good details, colors and POV. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3591 W: 143 N: 5691] (18607)
  • [2008-02-24 5:30]

Hi Zeno.
Amazing scene and superb quality of the picture. Pattern, created by beautiful birds, impressive twigs and leaves are fine. Lights and colours are natural and pleasant to look. Sharpness and details are great. Well done and best regards.
Alexei.

amazing birds, TFS Ori

Hi zeno

Fine composition and good sharpness. Well exposed against that greyish sky.

Chris

Hallo Zeno,

Prachtig kleuren met een mooie scherpe compositie.

groet Gert

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-02-26 4:47]

Hello Zeno, Wow that's a great composition, the birds are perfectly sharp and well exposed and the background is superb, well done, thanks!

Mario

Hi
Actually, it’s a nice shot and I believe you took it very well. Every thing is fine.
Good luck
Thanks for sharing
atalay

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 94 N: 5564] (17694)
  • [2008-03-02 13:31]

Hallo Zeno,
Terug van weg geweest. Heb je foto's van deze week even vluchtig bekeken. Deze springt er wat mij betreft uit. Prachtige opname van deze scharrelaars. De zachte kleuren in de hele foto zjn schitterend. Erg goede dieptewerking, scherpte en compositie.
Groet,
Peter

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