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Serpent Eagle at Dhikala, Corbett Park


Serpent Eagle at Dhikala, Corbett Park
Photo Information
Copyright: Subhash Ranjan (sranjan) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 34 N: 413] (1414)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-14
Categories: Birds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-03-18 6:49
Viewed: 450
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Crested Serpent Eagle, Spilornis cheela is a medium large raptor at about 55-75cm in length. Adults have dark brown upperparts and head, and have a hooded appearance at rest. The underparts and underwing coverts are pale brown. In soaring flight, the broad wings are held in a shallow V. The tail and underside of the flight feathers are black with broad white bars. When perched, they appear large headed and owl-like due to the shape of the face and positioning of the eyes.

The call is a distinctive Kluee-wip-wip with the first note being high and rising. They call a lot in the late mornings from perches or as they rise on the thermals in the mornings.

Sexes are visually similar, but young birds have a whitish head, underparts and underwing, the latter showing darker barring.

Diet; Chiefly reptiles, tree snakes especially, but also some lizards. It will pick up dead snakes as carrion. Also a few small mammals, and rarely birds. It is not a danger to gamebirds or poultry. All prey is taken on the ground.

I have captured this Serpent Eagle in the vast grass land (known as Chaur) on a dead tree branch (watch tower) at Dhikala, Jim Corbett National Tiger Reserve. It was sitting alert around 6.30 AM and was all set for it's morning catch. This shot is taken from "Journey on an Elephant Safari" on elephant's back through Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_Serpent-eagle
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To EOSF1: Hellosranjan 1 03-27 17:15
To Merlin: Hellosranjan 4 03-20 07:14
To fragman: Hisranjan 1 03-18 18:13
To satish_h: Hellosranjan 1 03-18 10:24
To kaustubh10: Hisranjan 2 03-18 08:33
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Critiques [Translate]

What a pretty little bird you got here. Nice and sharp good POV. Nice capture

Subhash,

A great raptor pic. The POV and clear BG make the detail very good. The composition, colour and sharpness are all great. I also posted some raptor shots with a clear BG, have a look and let me know what you think of mine?
TFS,
Sheriff

Hi Subhash,

Great shot of this majestic raptor! Good details, but I think the contrast is a little low. Please see my workshop.

But, good shot anyways!

regards,
Kaustubh

Hi,
Good one. Nice lighting. But too low angle.

striking pic, though not in focus, TFS Ori

Hi, Subhash.
This will be a strange critique - as it is mainly a critique of the critiques!
Contrast too low? No - if anything, the contrast is already high.
Too low angle? No - this is a very good angle when you consider the subject. You would need to be a bird or a monkey to do better.
Not in focus? Get your eyes tested - it is fine.
Suggestions? Maybe an adjustment of levels and a tiny bit of sharpening (see workshop)for the web, but this is a very good shot.
Regards,
Nigel

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1396 W: 117 N: 5169] (22732)
  • [2008-03-27 15:52]
  • [+]

Hello Subhash, great shot of this great raptor. Very sharp details, good light and exposure and superb composition! Very well done, thanks!

Mario

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