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Bee Eater family


Bee Eater family
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi), Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital ISO-400, Hoya 77mm UV Filter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-14 1:58
Viewed: 711
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Here's another shot of this family of Bee Eaters.

I hope you like it!

Identification
Bee-eaters, with their fantastic combination of rainbow colours and streamlined shape, are virtually unmistakable when seen well.

Habitat
Breeds in holes in sandpits, riverbanks and quarries. Feeds in open or at least semi-open country.

Behaviour
Bee-eaters are one of the few European species in which the young in the nest are fed, not just by their parents but also by additional 'helpers'. Genetic studies have shown that these 'helpers' are invariably the brothers and sisters of the birds being fed, usually the offspring from a previous brood. If nest sites are limited by the size of the sandbank, then helping their siblings to survive is the most useful thing that young Bee-eaters can do until they can claim a nest-site of their own.

Migration
Winters almost exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa although some will winter in India. In these wintering grounds they are regarded as pests by bee-keepers and culled by the thousands. Birds migrate by day in small flocks, especially along the Black Sea coast and over the Straits of Gibraltar.

Thanks!
ramthakur, seriandkevin, uleko, matatur, Argus, nglen, maurydv, Adanac, haraprasan, jaycee, JoshLewis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Ciao Joe, those are fantastic four!
Splenddi composition with wonderful light iand colors, great pose, very well done, ciao Silvio

Superb Joe !!
bravo
Patrick

These are remarkably beautiful Bee Eaters you shot in Spain, Joe. All of them are in perfect focus and equally colourful. The one with an insect in the beak seems to be showing off to others :).
Well done and TFS.
Ram

Lovely family shot, we had a solitary Bee Eater at Brandon Marsh in Coventry last summer, which led to birdwatchers descending on the place in droves :-)

lovely scene of beautifully colourful birds, well done :-)

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-01-14 4:47]

Hi Joe,not easy to have sharpness and colors like that whit the sky as background! Impressive work and great moment to take the pic,my best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2997 W: 162 N: 968] (2839)
  • [2009-01-14 4:58]

Hello Joe,
Yes, this is really a superb capture of the young ones being fed! It looks like a nice big moth is on the menu this time!! Brilliant timing and great focus, sharpness and beautiful colours. Well done!
TFS and cheers, Ulla

A fine group portrait indeed Joe, the patterns and colours are quite discernible in spite of the light BG. The one with the prey looks like it likes to share it with the smaller one! Good and timely capture my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2009-01-14 6:40]

Hi Joey,
Outstanding shot of this family and you have freezed a perfect moment here. Great colours and sharpness and against the blue sky as BG they stand out pretty. Superb light management and perfect DOF. Very nicely composed.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3821 W: 190 N: 11376] (35063)
  • [2009-01-14 7:04]

Hello Joe,
A charming capture of a Bee-eater family being fed by a parent. The pose and composition on the powerline are ideal and the sharpness and management of the harsh lighting pretty good.
TFS this delight,
Cheers,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2009-01-14 10:38]

Hi Joe!

My favourite from your collage. Perfect timing and funny scene. These birds and theirs behaviour look very... human :-)

hello joe
very beautiful colours
nice composition
great shot
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2009-01-14 12:06]

Hello Joe,
Fantastic photo of these four in splendid poses. Beautiful colours and an excellent POV. Very sharp with a great composition. Perfect timing.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2912 W: 34 N: 8640] (32202)
  • [2009-01-14 12:55]

Hi Joe. You were so lucky to have seen this on your holiday. Good timing on your part. I love the look from the two not getting fed. good detai land colours. well done TFs.
Nick..

Had a look on ebay but not sure which is yours !!

Ciao Joe,
meraviglioso momento di cattura di questa piccola famiglia di gruccioni, mi piace moltissimo quello che sembra un gioco per distribuire il cibo, eccellenti POV e composizione senza alcun elemento di disturbo e ben equilibrata con il punto focale di attenzione tutto diretto al piccolo insetto chiuso nel becco, ottima definizione, perfetta gestione del forte contrasto di luce.
TFS.
Maurizio

Hi Joe,
I love seeing the reactions of these birds to one holding some food. They are quite comical and must have been fun to watch.
Another great capture of them.
Cheers & TFS
Steve

Hi Joe,
Excellent capture of this family in feeding activity; great POV and composition, sharp fine details and brilliant colours.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2009-01-14 16:40]

Hi Joe,
What a line up of beauties, splendid work as always. Thank you for sharing.
Rick

Hi Joe,

what a great shot of Bee eaters.
good pov and beautiful colours.

Gert

Hi Joe,
A nice capture of this beautiful small family of bee eaters. Very well composed with sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-01-15 18:00]

Hi Joe,

Your timing was perfect to capture the youngster as he goes for his meal with his opened beak. A wonderful family picture of these beautiful bee eaters. Wonderful colors and details of all four. I hope the other two got something to eat - they are waiting expectantly.

Jane

Hello Joe

I got a good chuckle from this ,looks like a lovely family and they are sharing a tasty treat.
If that were my brood there would be much more squawking.
Excellent POV with natural colours.
Well timed.
TFS

Wolf

Wow Joey! Another wonderful photo! By the looks of it, it reminds me of when reading a book called Woodsong when one bird is passing a cherry to the next until they were all full. Once again a very wonderful image! Thanks for sharing! Cheers Josh Lewis.

This is an absolute CLASSIC! WOnderful moment you captured here. These birds are so beautiful - such wonderful color. They're quite small, aren't they?

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