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Little one


Little one
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralf Lukovic (ralfsworld) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 482 W: 90 N: 1822] (6264)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm F/2.8 L IS USM, CF Extrime IV 8 GB
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-07 6:18
Viewed: 657
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This one is my first shot in 2009. So Happy New Year, to everyone :)

I am back from Spain with many new shots. This one was photographed from a car @ 800mm with 1D Mark III ISO-500 F/5,6 1/500sec.

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) or just Redstart is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae).

It is a summer visitor in Europe. Its winter quarters are in north Africa. The Redstart is common in Great Britain but in Ireland it is very local.

The male Redstarts first arrive early in April, often a few days in advance of the females. It is a bird of the woodlands and open park land, especially where the timber is old enough to supply cracks and crannies suitable for its nest. Five or six light blue eggs are laid during May, and a second brood is rare.

In many of its habits and actions the Redstart shows an affinity to the European Robin. It has the same general carriage, and chat-like behaviour, and is the same size at 14 cm (5.4 in) length.

The rich chestnut tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names (“start” is an old word for ”tail”), is always in motion. Among European birds, only the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochrurus) has a similar tail.
Female

The male in summer has a slate-grey head and upperparts, except the rump and tail, which, like the flanks, underwing coverts and axillaries are orange-chestnut. The forehead and supercilium are white; the sides of the face and throat are black. The wings and the two central tail feathers are brown. The orange on the flanks shades to almost white on the belly. The bill and legs are black. In autumn, broad margins obscure the colours of the male, giving a washed-out appearance.

The female is browner, with paler underparts; she lacks the black and slate, and her throat is whitish.

The male’s song is similar to that of the Robin, but never more than a prelude, since it has an unfinished, feeble ending.

The Redstart feeds like a flycatcher, making aerial sallies after passing insects, and most of its food consists of winged insects. The call is chat-like and the alarm a plaintive single note, wheet, like that of the Winter Wren.

source: wiki
Morigann, uleko, Argus, crs, rousettus, Miss_Piggy, nglen, jaycee, Adanac, oanaotilia has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To PeterZ: Thanks Peterralfsworld 1 01-07 08:20
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Critiques [Translate]

Mycket bra Ralf
Quite sharp, well detached from the blurred BG which does not interfere, well positionned...
patrick

Hi Ralf,
What an excellent capture of a cute little one! You chose excellent composition with perfect details and exposure. The plain background is superb and makes the bird stands out well. Have a very good New Year!
Claudine

Hello Ralf,
For the first shot of the year, it's a success. A lot of details.
Very well done.
Pierre

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2983 W: 162 N: 911] (2687)
  • [2009-01-07 6:49]

Hej Ralf,
Welcome home! This is a superb capture of a female Redstart in a lovely pose! Impressive details and colours, a fine colour in the background and very well composed. I look forward to seeing what else you've brought with you home!
TFS and all the best wishes for 2009! Ulla

Great shot, very good POV and pose. Sharpness,details and colors are excellent.
Best wishes!! Carme.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3800 W: 190 N: 11298] (34839)
  • [2009-01-07 7:21]

Hello Ralf,
Welcome back from Spain!
A superb capture of a female Redstart with great sharpness and lighting, the OOF light contrasting BG making her really stand out.
TFS and look forward to seeing more from your trip.
God fortsättning, hälsar,
Ivan

Hello Ralf,
Good to see you back. All the best wishes. You start this year with an impressive photo. I'm wondering where the second leg is. But the photo is amazing beautiful. Technically of a high standard in every aspect. Superb!
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2009-01-07 8:42]

Hallo ralf,

You have made a nice portret of this tiny bird. Your photo has a gerat image as the bird is sharply shown and stays nicely against the blurry background. Due to the high quality of the image good details of the bird can be well observed. Colors are well rendered looking very natural.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 15 N: 1566] (6115)
  • [2009-01-07 9:06]

Hi Ralf
Nice capture, beautiful colors and perfect focus. Well done.
Regards
Razvan Zinica

Happy New year, Ralf.
Nicely done. Very good moment as only one leg is visible:-)
Extraordinary perch against the blurred background.
I'm looking forward to see you other photos from Spain.
TFS
Annick

Excellent shot with a perfect achievement. Well captured.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hi Ralf,
what a beautiful shot of lovely redstart. I have seen this bird here in many times, even in Malaga (Spain). I like it very much, especially males very beautiful with dark-rufous plumage. This must be a female with duller colours. You captured it with a great shot. Focus, POV/OOF, eyes contact, BG and coloration great as like lighting and composition. Thanks for sharing and I wish you a Hapapy New Year to you too.
Ahmet

Hallo Ralf
Your 1st posting for 2009 of this little bird is great. It looks like a small tin soldier with its straight almost breakable legs. You captured this fine looking bird in a wonderful pose showing off his nice profile, the beautiful colours and finely detailed plumage. The pose against the neutral background is excellent, and the combination of colours is great. I cannot find any fault, but can only sing you praises, as this is truly beautiful. All the best for 2009 and thanks for your valuable input on the site in the past.
Best regards.
Anna

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586] (32012)
  • [2009-01-07 11:16]

Hi Ralf. It may have the name of common but its a cute little thing . Which you have taken with fine detail and natural colours in the featehrs. With a fine POV/DOF. well done TFS.
Nick..

Precioso trabajo Ralf y de gran delicadeza. Muy buen trabajo con el color y con los contrastes. Fondo muy acertado.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-01-07 13:25]

Hi Ralf,

Welcome back!! You are starting the year off with a beauty. This Redstart is wonderful. She is in such a proud pose - she must know how lovely she is. Beautiful colors and superfine details of the plumage, wing and face. Excellent lighting, background and composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2009-01-07 18:19]

Hello Ralf,
This little one looks as if it is standing at attention. What incredible plumage detail you have captured and it is isolated against a beautiful out of focus background. Splendid work Ralf, thank you.
Rick

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 0 N: 403] (1393)
  • [2009-01-07 18:24]

Hi Ralf
Crystal clear image with crisp detail and lovely soft color tones in the background.Happy new year to you as well
tfs jon

Hello Ralf,

Happy New Year you too, nice bold, sharp image of the this lovely redstart, good colours and back ground. well done.tfs.

Hi Ralf

Good to see you here again. Excellent shot of this redstart on a fabulous neutral background. Excellent sharpness and plumage detail and great composition.

Chris

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1576 W: 5 N: 2180] (12248)
  • [2009-01-08 3:07]

Bonjour Ralf,

Superbe oiseau et magnifique lumière.
Bravo et merci pour le partage.

Joseph

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-01-08 13:10]

Hi Ralf,
this is a superb shot of this bird.
Very clear and detailed.
Excellent DOF.
Superb light.

Very well done,
Joe

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