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A Bat for Ahmet


A Bat for Ahmet
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2095 W: 5 N: 4663] (15776)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-01-23
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 15x Optical zoom, Digital ISO 400
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/10 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Bats - CHIROPTERA, Dedications I have made [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2010-02-17 10:17
Viewed: 2905
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 92
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Suborder Macrochiroptera / Fruit bats

Today's posting I would like to dedicate to Ahmet Karatash (rousettus), who is a bat specialist in own right. Ahmet's portfolio contains quite a number of different types of bat images and he also has a personal theme with the title "BATS - CHIROPTERA". I am not familiar with bats or their behaviour at all, but found some very interesting material about these mammals during my research. I want to quote from Ahmet's intro for his theme about bats. "Bats are very beautiful and my favourite animals. They are known usually wrong, especially they are assumed as vampire." I now also know that Ahmet's username derives from the Egyptian Fruit Bat – Rousettus egyptiacus.

I was pleasantly surprised when this Fruit bat made itself at home on our veranda, and dangled from the brick wall all day long. The entire time that it was there its eyes where wide open. I could not watch it continuously, but it must have flown and come back as it moved position once or twice. I would have loved to see it during flight. Unfortunately not one of the positions was 'just right' for a perfect photo.

I did not see the bat again after I have taken this photograph, until yesterday morning when I opened the door for fresh air and a bat flew into the lounge. I am not sure if it might have been the same one I have photographed. We tried to guide it to the outside, but unsuccessfully in our endeavours we eventually had to leave for work with the bat still inside the house. We were uncertain whether it might trigger the alarm system if it started to fly around again while looking for a place to escape. Luckily that did not happen and only later that afternoon, when we returned home from work and opened the door, the bat finally managed to find the escape route and flew outside. Actually it was quite neat to see the bat with its wide opened wings flying around inside the house.

Amazing Bat Trivia – Summary
1. The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand, weighing only 2g.
2. Giant flying foxes that live in Indonesia have wingspans of nearly 2m.
3. The common little brown bat of North America is the world's longest lived mammal for its size, with life-spans sometimes exceeding 32 years.
4. Mexican free-tailed bats sometimes fly up to 4 km high to feed or to catch tail-winds that carry them over long distances at speeds of more than 150 km (96 miles) per hour.
5. The pallid bat of western North America is immune to the stings of scorpions and even the seven-inch centipedes upon which it feeds.
6. Fishing bats have echolocation so sophisticated that they can detect a minnow's fin as fine as a human hair, protruding only two millimetres above a pond's surface.
7. African heart-nosed bats can hear the footsteps of a beetle walking on sand from a distance of more than six feet.
8. Red bats that live in tree foliage throughout most of North America can withstand body temperatures as low as -5°C (23°F) during winter hibernation.
9. Tiny woolly bats in West Africa live in the large webs of colonial spiders.
10. The Honduran white bat is snow white with a yellow nose and ears. It cuts large leaves to make "tents" that protect its small colonies from jungle rains.
11. Disk-winged bats of Latin America have adhesive disks on both wings and feet that enable them to live in unfurling banana leaves (or even walk up a window pane!).
12. Frog-eating bats identify edible from poisonous frogs by listening to the mating calls of male frogs. Frogs counter by hiding and using short, difficult to locate calls.
13. Vampire bats adopt orphans and have been known to risk their lives to share food with less fortunate roost-mates.
14. Male epauletted bats have pouches in their shoulders which contain large, showy patches of white fur that they flash during courtship to attract mates.
15. Mother Mexican free-tailed bats find and nurse their own young, even in huge colonies where many millions of babies cluster at up to 5000 / square m (500 / square foot).
16. A colony of 150 bats can protect local farmers from up to 33 million or more rootworms each summer.
17. The 20 million Mexican free-tails from Bracken Cave, Texas, eat approximately 200 tons of insects nightly.
18. Tropical bats are key elements in rain forest ecosystems which rely on them to pollinate flowers and disperse seeds for countless trees and shrubs. In the wild, important agricultural plants, from wild bananas, breadfruit and mangoes to cashews, dates, and figs rely on bats for pollination and seed dispersal.
19. Tequila is produced from agave plants whose seed production drops to 1/3000th of normal without bat pollinators.
20. Desert ecosystems rely on nectar-feeding bats as primary pollinators of giant cacti, including the famous organ pipe and saguaro of Arizona.
21. Bat droppings in caves support whole ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria useful in detoxifying wastes, improving detergents, and producing gasohol and antibiotics.
22. An anticoagulant from vampire bat saliva may soon be used to treat human heart patients.
23. Contrary to popular misconception, bats are not blind, do not become entangled in human hair, and seldom transmit disease to other animals or humans.
24. All mammals can contract rabies; however, even less than a half of one percent of bats that do, normally bite only in self-defence and pose little threat to people who do not handle them. Source

I hope you enjoyed looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
PeterZ, sranjan, horias, roges, Mello, flashpoint, Mamagolo2, nglen, rousettus, Ozgur70, siggi, goatman04, nasokoun, jaycee, jlinaresp, eng55, Jamesp, KOMSIS, Argus, Adanac, livius, lovenature, Hormon_Manyer, saeedabbasi, Luis52, maurydv, Pikkie, Nasarg, efsus, oscarromulus, valy67, boreocypriensis, ckuh55 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3944 W: 141 N: 10449] (35567)
  • [2010-02-17 10:22]

Hello Anna,
Fantastic macro of this bat in superb sharpness and very beautiful colours without the use of flash. Amazing eye-contact. Excellent frontal POV.
Regards,
Peter

Great shot Anna, I like the details of its face & description.I agree, Amazing eye-contact. Excellent frontal POV. TFS
Regards-Subhash
PS: Today we are neighbours :)

  • Great 
  • horias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 834 W: 61 N: 2022] (10629)
  • [2010-02-17 10:25]

Anne
What a lovely capture this great dedication for our friend rousettus!
Wonderful capture,very sharp !
Congratulation!
Horia

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 963 W: 0 N: 1325] (6240)
  • [2010-02-17 10:34]

Hello Anna,
dedication for a beautiful and interesting Ahmet.
I like what POV you have chosen. The details are excellent set.
Greetings friendly,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • Mello Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 144 W: 34 N: 479] (2413)
  • [2010-02-17 10:35]

Very interesting POV and creative too dear Anna.
I liked the compo too.
Thanks for post and about the note too.
Best wishes,
Francisco

hello Anna
super sharpness and good details
looks very good to you
very nice light and beautiful colours
greeting lou

Hi there Anna,

WOW, what a amazing shot. I like the detail of the ring around it's neck and the twinkle in the eye. You were very fortunate to get a shot like this. Very well done and thanks for sharing.

Regards
Natley

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2961 W: 30 N: 9678] (36105)
  • [2010-02-17 12:08]

Hi Anna. I am sure are good friend Ahmet will be very pleased with the very fine close up of the Bat. I have to say this is one of the better pictures i have seen. Its face is clear with fine detail. Its got the blue eyes on you. TFS.
Nick..

PS great notes too.

Dear Anna
I cant belive that what a great surprise for me. I am appreciated receiving such a wonderful dedication. Many many thanks.
This and your sentences are big honour for me.
you are right that my nickname derivated from Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus), I have used it since 1996. But your species and its family is very different from this species; even their suborders.
Already you perfectly summarized information about bats. The order Chiroptera consists of more than 1200 species. These are divided into two groups (suborders): Megachiroptera, represented only Fruit bats (Pteropodidae), and also Microchiroptera formed 17-18 families. Mine (Rousettus) belongs to first group, but yours is from second group, viz. Microchiroptera and from the Sac-winged or Sheath-tailed bats family Emballonuridae and species name is Taphozous mauritianus (Mauritian Tomb Bat). I dont like to change TN to academic place:) with technical information, boring for some readers.
I have seen only T. nudiventris from Emballonurid bats and it has been known from single locality in Turkiye. I also found it in Syria. I hope I will visit your country and I will see other bats in S Africa in future.
Well, your shot is wonderful and you captured this beautiful bat from great POV. sharp focus and DOF excellent as like colors and exposure. its nosrils and shiny eyes looks very beautiful. it gave a great pose to you for us:)
Thanks to Horia, Adrian, Nicholas and other friends for kind words.
thanks a lot. best regards to you and Loot.
Ahmet

Sharp and very good composition. Eyes are so interesting.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2755 W: 105 N: 10917] (43105)
  • [2010-02-17 13:16]

Hello Anna.
A super shot of this Fruit bats.The focus is spot on with sharp details.The POV is very well done.Good lighting.TFS
Best regards Siggi

Hi Anna,

This is a wonderful picture of this bat. The details are great and you have got him in a good pose looking straight into the camera. Nice colours also.
Great capture and TFS

Sion

Hello Anna,

This is an excellent macro with fine colors, sharpness & details. Very well taken, composed & presented.

A great gift to good friend, Ahmet on TN.

TFS & best wishes.

Umar

hello Anna,
thank you very much for your good wishes in my anniversary photo!
a separate and beautiful moment again from you, very interesting the pose of the subject and your POV, fine colors and clarity, it's a good photo!
keep photographing! TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2465 W: 10 N: 8037] (25428)
  • [2010-02-17 15:52]

Hi Anna,

Amazing - a head on shot of a Fruit Bat!! I saw them in Australia but mostly hanging from trees. I never had the chance to look into one's eyes. I love the face - how can a bat be so pretty? Wonderful colors, details, textures and pose.

Jane

Hello Anna,
Bravo! this is just unbelievable! the photo of the day! impressive POV, perfect focus, poise, a bat together with attitude and good technique! congratulations, impressive contribution to TN!
And a great note, very funny with trivia! bravísimo!!! again!
TFS, regards, Jesús

Hi Anna.

This is one of the most beautiful capture of the bat in TN. It is not easy to focus in the dark and and you have managed the shot really well. Ahmet would be happy with this dedication and he has posted many of this mammals in his site before.

A very well framed image and well exposed shot. Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Jusni

Nice shot with good sharpness and details. The eye contact looks good. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Anna

Great dedication to Ahmet.
A simply stunning shot of this small bat, we don't see enough of them on TN. I have only managed to post one. Excellent composition, sharpness and details. Great work and strange experience for you and Loot. Now you can really say you've sent each other baty :)

Chris

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1313 W: 42 N: 1975] (5892)
  • [2010-02-18 0:15]

Hi Anna,
Very beautiful capture.Well seen and composed.Sharpness,details
and eye contact are perfect.Lovely dedication to our friend Ahmet.
Thanks for posting..

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1378 W: 9 N: 6309] (18812)
  • [2010-02-18 1:10]

Hi Anna

This is probably the first picture of a bat I think I have ever thought was 'cute' :)

Great detail and pose.

Best wishes

James

Hi Anna,
An extraordinary beautiful composition ...
Bat, had a very nice pose.Excellent color and detail.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

Ciao Anne, great capture of beautiful bat, good natural ambientation, wonderful colors, fantastic exposure, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4883 W: 248 N: 15171] (48744)
  • [2010-02-18 6:21]

Hello Anna,
This is a wonderful capture of the Mauritian Tomb Bat (we thank Ahmet for the ID), the POV taken with excellent sharpness and colours and enabling a fascinating eye contact. The shape of the face and ears are great to see too.
This image is a fine tribute to Ahmet our friend and expert Chiropterist, who enriches this site in a fine way both as a biologist and photographer.

Thanks for sharing this delight,
Kind regards,
Ivan

Hi Anna,
An interesting subject not visited enough. Bats are awesome, something that has always fascinated me ever since I was first introduced to them as a kid. Watching Dracula transform into a flying mammal was the scariest thing imaginable for me at the time. Really nice exposure shows even balance throughout the entirety of the image. Well done.
Paul :)

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1433 W: 1 N: 6136] (20976)
  • [2010-02-18 16:54]

Hello Anna,
Splendid portrait of a face only a mother could love or another bat. great sharpness and exposure here Anna. Love the notes as well, lots of interesting information. Just an all around great posting, thank you for sharing this great work.
Rick

  • Great 
  • livius Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 0 N: 496] (1895)
  • [2010-02-18 23:57]

Hello Anna
great and particular capture of this beautiful bat. Great details, sharpness and focusing: notes are very interesting.
Livio

Hello Anna
Wow, you were able to get very close to this Fruit Bat. I think most bats have very cute faces, like little dogs or deer. I like the way he is looking directly at you with his cute little ears perked forward. Excellent capture!
TFS Janice

Hello Anna,

Wonderful shot with many details on the bat, great POV. The eye-contact is amazing. Technically a perfect photo, and a heartfelt dedication to our Friend Ahmet. Very informative, personal note also. Congrats and tfs.

Friendly regards and hugs, László

  • Great 
  • rommel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 448 W: 0 N: 287] (3599)
  • [2010-02-19 22:03]

Hi Anna,
Great macro of this bat with a nice sharp image and wonderful facial detalls.
erwin...

Hi Anna,
wow - this one is wonderful and I love the eyes so much.
If I would see such a bat in free I would run away, I'm a little afraid of them - but don't know why?!?
We have some small ones here and sometimes I see them flying - and that's mystic because they only fly at night, perhaps that's the reason why I'm afraid.
Thanks for this beauty, enjoy the weekend
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi Anna,
my tecer Ahmet.
thank you.
perfect species.
nice picture.

Hi Anna ,
A perfect work.
Excellent details with vivid colours.
Very well done

Kind regards
Saeed

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1189 W: 8 N: 4239] (15783)
  • [2010-02-20 18:04]
  • [+]

Hola Anna.
Lovely photo of this beauty. Bats always play a very imprtant roll in all aspects of our life, but unfortunately people are always afraid of them. Like the way he is looking at You. Nice note Anna. and by the way, I like No. 19. You and Loot are welcome here in Mexico to have some Tequilas any time. Be glad to have You here in my ranch any time.
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2607 W: 0 N: 6238] (22995)
  • [2010-02-20 19:33]

Hi Anna,
wonderful view of this special capture, the bat which is hard to shoot. I like it stares into you.
Overall clarity is so superbs, the brown foreground is very attractive and great contrast.
Very exciting features.
Well done and indeed a very good dedication to Prof. Ahmet.

Regards,
Foozi

Hello Anna,
a great dedication to our friend Ahmet; a fantastic portrait of this Bat taken from an excellent frontal POV with outstanding sharpness and impressive detail, i like very much the close composition.
TFS
Best regards
Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Pikkie (42)
  • [2010-02-22 10:32]

Hello Anna,
Very good image. Good detail and color. Very well done and thanks for sharing.
Marius

Hi Anna,

What a cute little fella! Excellent eye contact!

Best Regards,

Arman

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 410 W: 11 N: 832] (3781)
  • [2010-03-05 3:05]

Merhaba Anna!
Ahmet arkadaşımıza ithaf ettiğin bu güzel yarasa fotosu gerçekten çok başarıyla kaydedilmiş. Detayları ve özellikle göz teması bir harika. Ahmet'in çok mutlu olduğuna ve beğendiğine eminim. Sizi bu güzel çalışma için kutluyorum. Selamlar...

Hüseyin

Anna, es la primera vez que veo a este animal. Siempre me sorprendes con especies desconocidas pero es que además las captas con gran habilidad. De esta destacaría su gran realismo sin olvidar la luz tan neutra y clara así como la profundidad de campo tan amplia.
Fenomenal trabajo.
Saludos : Josep Ignasi.

Miss Piggy, (Anna).
Love this image. Am going to Fav. it. SUPERB.
Your "summary" re: Bat Trivia has truely "amazed" me.
Have saved a copy of it within my private files.
Also loved your "bat story". Maybe your home alarm is not functioning well... have you thought of this??? Or, perhaps Loot put it in the "OFF" position for the day???
Loved everything about this page.
Mario with very warm regards from Canada.

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1787 W: 59 N: 3054] (9201)
  • [2010-03-29 23:22]

Hello Anna !
Wow, a bat ! I love these animals, but we do not see many on TN, so I'm happy I found this picture ! It really okks like a friendly visitor, I love the look on its face, and it seems to be looking diectly at you ! Excellent details, lovely composition, great POV. Very well done !
Valérie.

Bonjour Anna
Elle est impressionnante ! on la croirait immense
Bravo pour le résultat, et Merci
Amicalement
Laurent

Hi Anna,

Extremely striking capture from great POV, the catchlight on the eyes are so incredible. Truly impressive shooting MF!
TFS and have a nice WE!
Cheers,

Bayram
Ps. please forward my warm regards to my beloved friend Loot.

I agree with you, they are incrdible creatures.
Here we only have small species, in fact while I write I can see a pair of Barbastella barbastellus, hunting the insects atracted by outside light. They make their day rest inside some bricks I have outside.
I can tell you that they are more "cute" than the one you show here. This one seems to look into your eyes :)
I spent a good time reading your note. When we started the improvement of our new house some windows where broken, an a pair of Barbastella lived in some little holes in the ceiling briks.
At night, they came out and kept hunting around us inside the house. It was fun!
Regards, Felipe.

What an Amazing story. I'm just as intrigued about your adventure as the photo which is Excellent.

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