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The traffic light


The traffic light
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: 2004-11-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Digital ISO 200, Skylight
Exposure: f/10.0
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Southern Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-12-07 6:09
Viewed: 1550
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I was taking some friends from Europe for a drive in the Lion and Rhino reserve when this little chap perched on the rocks near our vehicle. There was a whole commotion as I had to stop the vehicle and grab my camera to take this shot - I have not yet had the opportunity to shoot a longclow so the excitement caused a whole backup of cars behind me until I got my shot. So this is dedicated to all the guys I inconvenienced by taking this – Sorry guys and gals.

This is the Cape (Orange-throated) Longclaw (Roberts: 727)

A boldly coloured bird of the open veldt. Size 20cm - larger than a sparrow, but smaller than a laughing dove. Afrikaans: Oranjekeelkalkoentjie

The bill is short, straight and slender. It is black or dark-brown with a greyish base. The legs and feet are pinkish-brown.

The Cape Longclaw has a grey-brown back and wings, the feathers having pale edges, which creates a "scaly" appearance. It has bright, patterned underparts. The belly and lower breast are yellow, and a black bib separates the yellow belly from an orange throat. There is a yellow eyebrow extending from the base of the upper mandible to the back of the head. In flight, the tail is usually held spread out - and the white tips can be easily seen. The female is similar to the male, but is less brightly coloured.

This is a mainly terrestrial species that is common of grassland areas. It is found in farmlands, pastures, and the grassy edges of pans and lakes. It is more heavily built than the pipits and spends much of the time on the ground, seldom perching on trees.

It is usually seen singly or in pairs and if flushed, flies away with short bursts of whirring wings, interspersed with short glides, during which the white tips to the tail can usually be seen.

It lives on insects and grass seeds.

The call is a catlike meew, which is given when the bird is disturbed. A frequent song is a piping 2-syllabled deewit, deewit or deewit, meew, deewit, meew.

The Cape Longclaw nests from August to March and the nest is a bulky bowl of coarse grass, neatly lined with rootless which is sunk in the ground at the base of a grass tuft or other plant. It is usually very well hidden.

The camera settings:
Program Setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 500mm
F Stop: F/10
Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
ISO: 200
Tripod: No
Flash: Off Camera TTL
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
mogens-j, RAP, ellis49, Lesley, willie, marhowie, Luc, red45, thistle, IdoTT, miqra, gerhardt, Ninfa, deud, Callie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Yes, it's funny how a new species that appears opportunistically can cause excitment. I know the feeling well, its what makes wildlife photography so much fun.
The picture is a good capture, well composed, all the features are visible, well done.

Very nice Japie. I really like his (with that red throat it must be a male) proud pose. Beautiful colours, very good dof and cropping/composition.

Very good Japie.
Great colours, good details and DOF.
Very good work.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-12-07 7:16]

Bonita ave Japie, agradable captura con difícil entorno por el disturbio que produce.
Buena agudeza con atinado DOF y presentacion.

Pretty bird Japie, pleasant capture with difficult surroundings by the disturbance that produces.
Good sharpness with accurate DOF and presentation.

What a gorgeous bird...reminds me a little of our Eastern Meadowlark, but way more colorful. Excellent capture and way to go on holding up the traffic.

Mooi so Japie. Beautiful bird, well seen and portrayed here despite the agitation of others trying to rush you. Very good post.
Excellent job
By the way congratulations on the 3000 points. Well done

Japie, Great pose & wonderful colors/markings! Great title & supporting story/note also. Your efforts were well worth the results!!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2004-12-07 10:05]

I would have liked well being also in the traffic jam which you caused, Japie. It would have much longer lasted if I had been present because I too would have taken photos.
Good work: picture and note.
Thanx

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977] (26973)
  • [2004-12-07 10:29]

Proud and colorful bird, definitely worth capturing! Very good story :-) I understand you very well :-)

  • Great 
  • miqra Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 140 W: 3 N: 23] (151)
  • [2004-12-07 12:40]

Wow! This is phenomenal, I love the golden colors and also the bgr is perfect, you are a pro Japie!

What are you showing me Japie? An unknown in my own backyard! I have never seen this lovely bird. Great shot of it too. Thanx for this.

Great shot very good details and colors.
Well done.

How did you manage to take this photo? It's difficult to take shots of birds so near as this. I liked it!

  • Great 
  • Ninfa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 116 W: 3 N: 199] (716)
  • [2004-12-08 14:22]

Hola Japie: I like the golden color a lot, I believe that this bird is charming, her plumage is very very beautiful, I like a lot like for a book of princesses' stories. Interesting those the forms and details of the stones, the color combines very well with its plumage. The effect of the bottom is also very good and pleasant. Congratulations. Saludos Cordiales. *Ninfa Urania*

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1243 W: 106 N: 2606] (7501)
  • [2004-12-12 16:09]

Jy was besig, en baie mooi goed gepos ook!
This is a beautiful little turkey. I have seen him, but not withing reach, so to all those you inconvenienced, I will do so too if this guy will just oblige for me too.
Very nice shot, also the BG works well.
Groetnis

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