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A young rainbow


A young rainbow
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 50-500 F/4-6.4, Digital ISO 200, Skylight
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-12-04 14:48
Viewed: 2973
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 53
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Well I decided to post again after a long absence. It has been a very busy year, both personally and at the office, but I have been fortunate enough to find some time to point my camera at nature on the odd occasion. Having had the pleasure of meeting up with Paul (PDP) for a couple of days here in SA brought a whole lot of fond memories about TN to my mind and I hope to find the time to make some more memories.

This shot of a Lilac-breasted Roller (Roberts: 447) was taken in the Pilaansberg nature reserve. This is still an youngster (so Callie tells me). An adult has less green on the head and it has to “streamers” comingout out of its tail.

More about the Lilac-breasted Roller, one of the more spectacular bushveld birds:

It is a large, brilliantly coloured bird, which usually sits on an open perch. Size 35-36 cm - Larger than a Laughing Dove, but with a longish tail. Afrikaans: Gewone Troupant

The Rollers have strong, short, bills with a hooked tip to the upper mandible . The Lilac-breasted Roller has a blackish bill and yellowish-green or green feet and legs. The eye is dark.

The breast is a brilliant lilac colour, streaked with white. The belly is sky blue and the wing coverts are various shades of blue. The crown is greenish-turquoise and the rump and tail are bright blue.

There is a white patch on the forehead, and around the dark eyes. In flight the totally blue wings are a spectacular sight, with stunning contrast between the sky-blue inner wing and the dark blue feather ends. It has a spectacular display, which can be seen in the breeding season, when it flies high above the woodland calling loudly. The bird will fly with a curious rolling motion, involving twists and turns. It then suddenly turns and dives down on open wings.

This is a common species of the bushveld areas, and is usually seen perched on a prominent perch from where it can see the surrounding terrain. It is usually found singly or in pairs. It generally flies down to the ground to catch large insects.

The main food is insects, including locusts, beetles, caterpillars and ants.

The call is a harsh, grating rak-zak-zaak, zak-zak-zak, zak-raak - usually utteed in display - otherwise generally a quiet bird.

It breeds from August to December. The nest is in a natural hole in tree, 2-6 metres above the ground.

The camera settings:

Program Setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 500mm
F Stop: F/6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
ISO: 200
Tripod: No
Flash: No, The sun was behind me.
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
White Balance: Sunshine
JanArie, Janice, red45, klemmg, scottevers7, Fisher, Luc, marhowie, coasties, gerhardt, dew77, jeanpaul, marjan, Ric has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To klemmg: A Bit Brightmarhowie 1 12-04 22:45
To klemmg: A Bit Brightmarhowie 1 12-04 22:43
To klemmg: Definitiely NOT OEJanice 1 12-04 17:56
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 1 N: 328] (2024)
  • [2005-12-04 15:02]

What a beautiful bird, didnt now this one excisted. Learning everyday through trek. Looking forward to more of your work. Thanks Reina

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2005-12-04 15:20]

Bonjour Japie!
Très heureux de revoir une de tes présentation. Cette photo est superbe,les couleurs de l'oiseau sont magnifiques et la pose est parfaite. La netteté, les détails et l'éclairage en font une belle composition.

Merci!

Hello Japie
What a very beautifull bird, great shot!

Well done and thanks for all the information.

Greetings, Jan-Arie

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-12-04 15:44]

Hi Japie, good to see you again:)
What a super little fellow this Lilac-breasted Roller is. I had never seen them before TN, and I just love their colours and looks.
This one's fluffed up so prettily, making his colours shhow up even better. He's nice and sharp too. Well done, thank you.

Hi Japie,
it's great news to hear, I have missed you.
A beautiful bird with lovely colours.
Well composed, good POV and details. May a little bright.
Great and informative note as usual.
Very well done, my friend.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-12-04 15:57]

Great news - Japie is back! I'm really happy that you returned my friend :-) Excellent picture, full of colours, looks like rainbow closed in shape of bird.

Hi Japie,
good composition and pose in your shot of this colourful bird, excellent detail. Colours come out too bright, on my monitor it looks OE. Suggest to clone out the single green leaf in the BG behind the head. Very detailed and interesting note.
Regards,
Gabi

Hi Japie,
I sure hope you are going to post on a regular basis again. I have missed your excellent work. Beautiful composition and framing on this Roller. Amazing colors with very fine detail. Perfect DOF and a nice OOF backround. Great work!
Scott

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-12-04 18:44]

Hi Japie,

Excellent shot and well done on the composition.
Howard's w.s. did justice for your shot.

Mike

Japie, I have never seen a bird like this. It is beautiful, great capture.
Kathleen

Who is this posting a beautiful juvenile Roller.... it's Japie! Yay, everyone, our long lost friend has returned! Hi Japie, what a wonderful surprise. Fantastic to see you back my friend! As always, a stunning shot from you. I do love the plumage colours on these guys. You nailed this we chap. Great work. :-)

Hello Japie, Great to see a post from you again. An excellent capture. Very good sharpness, colors, DOF and framing. Very well done. Say hello to Paul for me? Thank You!

Good to see you Japie :)
The photo is great, has perfect framing and beautiful colours.
I like it very nuch.
VERY WELL DONE & TFS

Hi Japie,
Great to see you posting!
This is superb capture with excellent composition,
very sharp and detailed, beautiful colours.
Very well done and thank you!

So nice to see a post from you again. :)

This is very sharp and well composed. I have never seen this juvie before. I does look a bit bright over here as well. Well done.

Anymore....?

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-12-05 11:02]

Hello Japie!
Nice to see you here again;).Very nice capture.I liked colors,POV,details,catchlight in eyes,framing and composition a lot.TFS..:-)

This is a cool shot of a pretty roller with an excellent mote. :)

Well, I will not be white and say good to see you, because I am also scarce here. Nice baby, And I really like the BG making the subject stand out even more!
Hope you get more time to post, I have to sharpen my critique skills when I see your and Gerhard'd posts, cannot let the Cammon folks get off toolightly! lol, Shame, to be reduce to shoot with Canon . . . he he he
Mooi dag
CAllie

Hi Japie, great detail on this picture the colours are great. good work and note
TFS
Eduado

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2006-01-01 11:43]

Hello Japie!
I am happy that you found the time to post this splendid bird.
Of my old friends I miss the presence on TN.
I wish the best for you and your family.
Thanks.
Happy New Year Japie!

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2006-01-10 8:07]

what a colorful beauty! gerat focus on subject.

happy new year!

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-03-30 12:52]

Hi Japie
What a beautiful and colourful bird.Well composed, good POV details,framing and your information.
Well done

osse

  • Great 
  • marjan Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 474 W: 14 N: 360] (2641)
  • [2006-08-24 14:58]

Hi Japie, extra nice shot, good explanation and POV.
Marjan

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2006-12-31 9:03]

Hi there Japie! Long time no see! This is a very beautiful, colorful and sharp image. I love these birds. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Ps-I wish you a healthy, wonderful and exciting 2007!

  • Great 
  • Ric Silver Note Writer [C: 4 W: 0 N: 20] (140)
  • [2007-12-15 8:31]

Hi Japie,
Good work!! It’s a complete and illustrative document. This is a very beautiful, colourful and sharp image. Bird is also impressive for itself. Well done & TFS!
Ps. Your gallery is plenty of fantastic photos.
Regards
Ricard

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 545 W: 0 N: 735] (3213)
  • [2008-10-12 10:29]

Hi Jupie
exellent image
very naturel color and sharp
very well done.

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 613 W: 0 N: 546] (3180)
  • [2009-03-16 1:10]

Hi Japie!
A beautiful image and interesting at the same time.
Warm colors, clear.
I love it.
Regards,
Adrian

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