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Greater Double-Collared Sunbird


Greater Double-Collared Sunbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Guy Castley (Greenie) Silver Note Writer [C: 3 W: 2 N: 16] (68)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70 DSLR, Nikkor 70-210mm AF, Kenko Skylight 1A 62mm
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Southern Africa II, Metallic wonders of nature 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-08 8:36
Viewed: 1357
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This male Greater Double Collared Sunbird was flitting about feeding on the flowers of Aloe africana in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

Sunbirds are quite a diverse group throughout Africa and South Africa offers a good number of sunbirds. This species is relatively widespread and common being found in gardens, fynbos, forest edges and coastal scrub.

This species is potentially confused with it cousin the Lesser Double Collared Sunbird which overlaps in distribution in the Eastern Cape but is distinguished by having a much reduced red band on the chest and shorter bill. The females of both these species are much less striking being uniformly grey/green in colour. Not seen in this photo are the distinctive yellow tufts on the shoulders which offset the blue band.

The Greater Double-collared Sunbird breeds all year round, with a peak from July to November. The closed oval nest is constructed from grass, lichen and other plant material, bound together with spider webs. It has a side entrance which sometimes has a porch, and is lined with feathers.

I thought it would be quite easy to get a shot of the little guy as he was flying from one flower stalk to the next but they don't sit still for very long and are easily disturbed.

Cheers
Guy
vanderschelden, MMM, uleko, go2stones has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Guy,
A feast of colours.
Well composed. A wonderful 'exotic' bird...
Nit is the shallow DOF. A nit though...
TFS
Annick

Guy, You were lucky to get even this close. You did get the bird pose for you. The beak raised, colors shining against the sun, perfect perch - What else can you ask for? Great shot. TFS. Murali Santhanam

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 0 N: 1965] (8837)
  • [2007-08-08 10:04]

Hello Guy
Nice capture.Sharp image with nice POV.Colors are lovely and the catch light from the eye is very interesting.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2959 W: 162 N: 817] (2429)
  • [2007-08-08 10:20]

Hello Guy,
Fantastic capture of this wonderful Sunbird in a beautiful pose. Excellent sharp details and fantastic colours. I like the spiky leaves too. A very fine composition!
Many thanks, Ulla

Beautiful little bird with great bright colors. Sharp image with good depth of field. Nice undistracting background.

Well done.

Reid

Guy,

A sharp, well composed pic that has excellent POV, DOF and lighting.

TFS,
Sheriff

selam, excellent shot and very good composition nice pov and bg with splendid colours.good details presented
Well done !
Regards ridvan

hi guy,

magnificent composition,colors and DOF!!!!!excellent!!!
tfs
caroline
:) later

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