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Upupa epops


Upupa epops
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralf Lukovic (ralfsworld) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 482 W: 90 N: 1823] (6266)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400L 4.5-5.6 IS USM
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-10 5:38
Viewed: 1630
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I found this little guy outside of my hotel in Kenya. Captured early in the morning, 20D @ 400mm, handheld.

The Hoopoe Upupa epops is in the same order of often colourful near passerine birds as the kingfishers, bee-eaters, and rollers.

However, in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, the Hoopoe is separated from the Coraciiformes as a separate order, the Upupiformes. It is the only extant member of its family, although what are now considered subspecies, such as the resident African form U. e. africana, were formerly sometimes given specific status.

Hoopoes are widespread in Europe, Asia and North Africa, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. They migrate from all but the southernmost part of their range to the tropics in winter.

Their habitat is open cultivated ground with short grass or bare patches. They spend much time on the ground hunting insects and worms. That particular diet may have been among the reasons the Hoopoe is included on the Old Testament's list of unclean birds.

The Hoopoe is 25-29cm long, with a 44-48cm wingspan. This black, white and pink bird is quite unmistakable, especially in its erratic flight, which is like that of a giant butterfly. The crest is erectile, but is mostly kept closed. It walks on the ground like a starling.

The song is a trisyllabic "oop-oop-oop", which gives rise to its English and scientific names.

The nest is in a hole in a tree or wall. Like those of its relatives the kingfishers, the nest tends to contain copious amounts of faeces and smell very foul as a protection against predators.
LordPotty, Calianis, BEHRAD, Argus, ramthakur, fthsm, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Ralf,
excellent picture! I wonder why there weren´t any critiques until now.
Great sharpness all over the body and the natural colours are impressive! The point of view is well chosen.
The head looks funny with its long beak and the orange feathers on the head.
Regards, Fabian

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2006-10-10 7:35]

Very beautiful shot!Excellent details you got..NIce compo&POV..

  • Great 
  • Rolf Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 27] (196)
  • [2006-10-10 7:58]

Wow, this is really nice shot, Ralf!
TFS
Rolf

Hi Ralf.

Subject is harmonious with the BG and the well arranged DOF makes us view the bird and the surrounding area explicitly.But I'd prefer to make a tighter crop from the bottom and maybe add more light to the whole image. Whatsoever it's a good photo.

Well Done & TFS.

Hi Ralf
Superb shot.
Lovely composition & colour.
I like it.
Regards
Behrad

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2006-10-10 9:55]

Hi Ralf,

Great shot of this hoopoo very colorfull bird,a pity he was not showing his crest,but like it a lot,.

well done and TFS,

Paul

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3833 W: 190 N: 11412] (35173)
  • [2006-10-10 11:43]

Hej Ralf,
This Hoopoe looks good against the background even though the background itself is not beautiful.
Fine pose, comp and sharpness.
TFs, regards, Ivan

What a beautiful Upupa you have captured, Ralf.
Excellent POV, colours and details. I like the posture you have captured the bird in.
Great BG of those seasoned boards of wood.
Well done and TFS.

  • Great 
  • fthsm Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 147 W: 47 N: 435] (2909)
  • [2006-10-11 0:56]

I see these birds in Turkey in summer with a bit lighter feather color. Wonderful photo.

bonjour ralf
magnifique cet oiseau je n'en avais jamais vu de tel,jolie couleurs et bons details.
laurent

Hi Ralf,
Well done mf. I like the sharpness, detail, DOF, color, contrast, and exposure seen in this odd looking fellow :)

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2006-10-28 23:11]

Great shot Ralf ! Very nice bird and very well shot ! I would have not place the bird so centrally ! :-))) Thanks !

Mario

Hi, Ralf.
What a beauty! This bird I dreamed to get this year, but no success. Very good exposure, sharpness and details.

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