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smooth-billed Ani


smooth-billed Ani
Photo Information
Copyright: Zeno Swijtink (Zeno) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 0 N: 975] (8383)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-08-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 mm.
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-14 5:21
Viewed: 2010
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
During my stay in Tobago I saw several smooth-billed anis. It was not easy to shoot them and I guess this was my best attempt.
Known locally as "Merle Corbeau"or even as "Old Witch", this birdinhabits open country, gardens, parks and urban areas in both islands. Black all over it is distinguished by its strange, parrotshaped beak, its short, rounded wings and its long tail, which it raises to balance itself on landing. It commonest call ia a whining, two-tone oo-leek.
Anis like other cuckoos, live mostly on grasshoppers and other insects. They are not parasitic in their nesting behaviour, but they are highly gregarious, feeding and living together in flocks of about 12 birds; they even nest in one large communal nest, where the females in the group may deposit up to 30 chalky white eggs. Several birds may incubate together, and the young are fed and guarded by all the adults in the rgoup, as well as by the subadult birds from previous broods.
I hope you like this peculiar bird!
jeanpaul, uleko, Argus, coasties, jrubiocasado has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Fascinating to watch. The sharpness and details are excellent. Well done.
Achim

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2006-10-14 6:08]

Ha Zeno,

Een mooi plaatje en aan de snavel is goed te zien waar hij zijn naam aan te danken heeft,een scherpe foto op een rustige achtergrond,

Groetjes,

Paul

Bonjour Zeno
Très belle attitude de cet oiseau sur la branche, la lumiére est parfaite et le sonbre BG rehausse bien le sujet.Super composition egalement, félicitations.
Merci etau revoir...JP

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 162 N: 984] (2877)
  • [2006-10-14 8:31]

Hello Zeno,
I've seen this remarkable bird and I think your shot is really excellent with focus on the beak which makes it so special. Nice details of plumage too. Beautiful plain background and composition.
TFS, Ulla

Hi Zeno,
that's a beautiful and interesting bird.
To see in in free nature must be very impressive.
Excellent work, so sharp and the light is reflecting in the beak and eye, that's beautiful.
Thanks and bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

nice Ani, full of character, thanks Ori

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2006-10-14 10:32]

Hello Zeno,
Good detail in this shot, which makes it easier to identify as the Smooth-billed. Nice comp. and BG.
TFS this and the info.
Best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2006-10-14 12:06]

Hola Zeno. Me agada mucho esta foto, tiene exelente luz y contraste. Una ave que es nueva para mi pues nunca he visto algo asi. Me agrada su pico.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6166] (21070)
  • [2006-10-14 15:00]

A lovely shot of this ani, Zeno.
Excellent exposure that brought out a wide range of values in the black plumage. Great POV and composition with fine details.
TFS. : )

Hi Zeno

Wow... you have shown the details in the black plumage perfectly. Excellent exposure! Lovely pose, nicely composed, great catchlight and nicely placed diagonal of the branch. 11 out of 10 for this shot. :-)

Hola Zeno
Curiosa ave no me extraña que la llamen "mirlo cuervo" es que parece que es una mezcla de ambas.
Buen documento y gran trabajo.
Un saludo
Jorge

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