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On top of the world!


On top of the world!
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: 2004-10-22
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Skylight
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Southern Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-10-25 11:42
Viewed: 1356
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this Cape Sugarbird in the Somerset West nature reserve.

More about the Cape Sugarbird (773)

A brown bird with very long tail and long, curved bill. It is usually associated with Proteas. Size 25-29cm (female) 34-44cm (male) - smaller than a laughing dove, but with a very long tail. Afrikaans: Kaapse Suikervoël

The Bill is slightly longer than the head and is black. The legs and feet are also black.

The Cape Sugarbird is brown above and paler below. It has a white chin and distinctive brown malar stripe, with a white line above it. The underparts are paler - the female with a white chest centre and belly, and streaking on the flanks and lower belly. The male has a brown upper chest and whitish belly with streaking on the flanks. In both sexes the undertail is bright yellow, and the top of the head is dull brown. The Male has a very long tail (twice the length of the body) and the female a tail of about half that length.

The Cape Sugarbird is a species restricted to the Cape Fynbos, and shows a preference for Fynbos, which has many protea plants. Usually seen in pairs or groups, the male often sitting prominently at the top of a large protea bush. It is common in the Western Cape , including in botanical gardens and mountain slopes.

The Cape Sugarbird subsists mainly on insects, spiders and nectar of protea species.

The Cape Sugarbird is one of a family, which consists of only two species, Gurney's Sugarbird being the other. This family is restricted to Southern Africa.

The call consists of a range of notes, most often deep, twangy and grating notes - typically klak-klak-klak, as well as hissing calls and more musical notes.

It breeds from February to August, but mainly from April to May in the SW Cape . The nest is an untidy cup of twigs, grass bracken rootlets and pine needles, lined with protea down. It is placed in the fork or tangled branch of a protea bush or other large leaved tree.

I posted another Sugarbird here.

The camera settings:

Focal Length: 500mm
F Stop: F/10
Shutter Speed: 1/200
ISO: 100
Tripod: Yes
Flash: Yes
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
willie, Crypton, PDP, gerhardt, Luc, AndyB, deud, TAZ, Lourens has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To TAZ: Youre backjapie 1 10-26 10:37
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-10-25 12:34]

Japie dis baie mooi. Pratige skoot sou miskien beter sonder al die blare voor die voel gewees maar nietemin, baie netjies.

very nice!nice colours and good details on the feathers.
goe gedaan!

toujours aussi belles vos photo d'oiseau.
tres belle composition.
merci.

  • Great 
  • miqra Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 140 W: 3 N: 23] (151)
  • [2004-10-25 14:19]

Gloriously beautifull, the bird and the pic, you are indeed a pro...well done!

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-10-25 15:44]

Great one Japie, the bird looks great against the blue sky, nice glint in his eye. Good work.

Pragtige foto. The composition is lovely. The pose exceptional. This trip's photos are all nice. Keep 'em comming.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2004-10-25 19:11]

A very long bill. A very long tail. A very good composition. A very good subject with a very nice attitude. A very good sharpness. A very good title. A very good note.
So, I like it ... much.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2004-10-25 19:27]

A very nice capture.
The pose is great and the composition too.
I tried to get some birdie shots today but failed ;-(...one day maybe!
Excellent well done.

Japie, This one has excellent composition & the bird is turned for you nicely. I'm in a rush so this one is short..I like it Japie! how-bout that!!

Great picture Japie
Very good composition , nice colours and good details.
Great note like always.
Well done .

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2004-10-26 7:27]

Amazing. It's simple, but nothing in excess. The colours are very natural. Good composition and light. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2004-10-26 10:31]
  • [+]

Jolie composition photographique pour ce bel oiseau ! Belles couleurs et bonne netteté.
Well done !

Excellent compo, Japie. Nice capture and good detail. Thanks for the note.

Realy good. At first I thought the leaves are a bit to much, but you tend to miss the tail between the leaves. Actually, great shot! Is it a protea it is sitting in?

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