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Who is there?


Who is there?
Photo Information
Copyright: Smitha Komath (smitha) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 285 W: 77 N: 920] (3485)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): NATURE'S BEST [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-06 5:15
Viewed: 672
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello friends,
This is a close up of Rufus Tree pie. It was raining and this bird took refuge on a Curry leaf tree, Murraya
koenigii planted outside our kitchen. I was in the kitchen and as soon as i saw the bird landing on its branch , I grabbed the camera and took some shots.There was no time for me to adjust the settings, so i had to adjust the exposure in photoshop.I took the shot through the window, with the lens resting on the grill. When i clicked the camera, it turned to look at me and i could get two shots, in which the unshaken one is my post today. I hope you will like it.

Some information on the bird:
Tree Pie, Dendrocitta Vagabunda, is a long tailed chestnut brown bird with sooty head and neck. It’s tail alone comes to 12 to 12.5 inches. The tail is grey with black on tips. The wings have also black tipped grey patches which becomes conspicuous in flight. Both sexes are alike.
Tree Pie is widely distributed in India and are frequently seen in wooded country and shrub jungle. It also visits residential compounds and gardens. They are always seen in pairs or in family parties. Tree Pies are regular members of the mixed hunting parties that move about in forest. There is a special bond seen between the Racket- Ttailed Drongos and Tree Pies. I have often seen them together in the rubber plantation next to our place. They both share certain similarities too. Both are very noisy birds, with a variety of calls ranging from harsh and guttural to pleasing and melodious. Since the Tree Pies rarely keep quiet for a long time , it is very easy to sight them. Since I see them every day in our place, i have noticed one thing. Whenever they find food, they make a peculiar sound like 'Ke ke ke ke ke'. Whenever I hear this sound I know there is food near for the Tree Pies to devour. I have always tracked them like this whenever we have ripe fruit on our Papaya plant. You can also try it next time you hear this call.:)They are omnivorous like crows and will take fruits, insects, lizards, frogs and even eggs and helpless youngs of birds and rodents.

The Tree Pies nest during February to July. Their nests are very similar to the crow's, but bit deeper - a collection of twigs well lined with rootlets, concealed in the foliage of medium sized trees. They lay often 4 - 5 eggs. They protect their nests fiercely from birds like crows and kites. Because of this weaker birds like Black headed Oriole and White Browed Fly Catchers sometimes build their nests near Tree pie's.But the Treepies often cheat these helpless birds once their eggs hatch.They use the eggs of other birds to feed their own young. The youngs are often fed by parents even after they took the same size as the adult.
The photo was taken with
CAmera : Nikon D200
Lens : 300mm AF S F4 Nikkor + TC 14 E
ISO: 320
F stop: 6.3
Shutter speed: 1/125
Photo resized and adjusted in Photoshop and noise removed with Neat image.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your critiques.
Have a nice weekend,
Smitha.
gracious, ramthakur, haraprasan, japiey, undoredo, wingle, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To shabsslg: the grainssmitha 1 10-06 07:33
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Critiques [Translate]

Wow, Smitha, Splendid!

First of all I would like to say that catching a bird with two eyes facing the lens is a little tricky task [which is why the title is there I suppose] and you have done it with perfection.

Secondly, the branch of the tree gives an impression of gradual soft focus, good framing here.

Only thing on the downside is that the picture looks a little grainy. I am of the opinion that you have cropped large parts of the image and then submitted the pic in 800X800 pixel format. A little smaller image would have the smoothening effect! Hope to learn more about this.

Subhayan.

Hello Smitha,
It's me, Tony!
perfect composition of this Tree pie with good DOF, sharpness, vivid colour and so much details!
the clarity on the plummage is superb!
well done and TFS
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1880 W: 245 N: 6158] (21922)
  • [2007-10-06 12:23]

Ha ha ha that is a funny name... Tree Pie :D -my immaturity coming through ;)
A nice photo of this Rufus Tree Pie.
+++ Excellent eye-contact and a decent POV. Great colours and lighting.
--- Lacks a bit of detail but only a slight nit :)
Well done,
Joe

Smitha, I'm still without internet. All the ports in the box near my house are already full, but Airtel took two weeks to tell me that, ha, ha, ha!!! Now I am trying for a portable device by Reliance. I'm with my son for the weekend today and using his wi-fied house to write a few critiques.

This is a well captured picture of a Tree Pie -- a new bird for me. The portrait shows the bird in fine detail with natural colours.
Does your second picture show the entire bird? I would love to see it.
Thanks for sharing and warm regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1803 W: 29 N: 5240] (17162)
  • [2007-10-07 0:30]

Hi Smitha,
Wonderful shot of this strangely named bird with sharp details and colours on its plumage. Great lighting and eye contact. The BG looks so special and highlights the subjects perfectly. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi Smitha,
Even if this is quicky. But beautifully captured. Nice details and composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Smitha.

SHARP EYES, and that look makes me stare at him too..
Good, and timely shot.
CONGRATS, GOOD FRIEND :)

jean paul

-:) yeees he looks directly to you!!!
Another great focused photo.
TFS
Evan

Hi Smitha,
Very nice portrait of Rufus Tree Pie( funny name I think :)), with fine details and sharpness, also lovely colours and nice POV!
Well done and TFS,
Have a nice weekend!!
Best wishes,
Kevin

Hi Smitha,
This is a very unique point of view. It was clearly looking at you! Beautiful soft background, very good details of the bird; good exposure and focus, and you've capture both of its eyes(not often seen or easy to do). Well done!
Best always
Wing

Smitha,
Very exceptional portrait!!Amazing depth and really, perfect timing!!

Thank you!
Regards,
Goldy

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