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Spotted Flycatcher


Spotted Flycatcher
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralf Lukovic (ralfsworld) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 502 W: 88 N: 1789] (6030)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D, Canon EF 400mm F/2.8 L IS USM
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds In Flight Part Two [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-20 5:25
Viewed: 471
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is Spotted Flycatcher in action from my last trip. Captured @ 800mm (400x2) from a cars window with 5D. I have many new shots of Swedish birds in good quality to present in coming months...

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range.

This is an undistinguished looking bird with long wings and tail. The adults have grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with some streaking on the breast. The legs are short and black, and the bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Juveniles are browner than adults and show the spots on the upperparts which give this species its name.

Spotted Flycatchers hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects, and often returning to the same perch. Their upright posture is characteristic.

They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for open areas amongst trees. They build an open nest in a suitable recess, often against a wall, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-6 eggs are laid.

Interestingly, most European birds cannot discriminate between their own eggs and those of other species. The exception to this are the hosts of the Common Cuckoo, which have had to evolve this skill as a protection against that nest parasite. Spotted Flycatcher shows excellent egg recognition, and it is likely that it was once a host of the Cuckoo, but became so good at recognising the intruder's eggs that it ceased to be victimised. A contrast to this is the Dunnock, which appears to be a recent Cuckoo host, since it does not show any egg discrimination.

The flycatcher's call is a thin, drawn out soft and high pitched tssssseeeeeppppp, slightly descending in pitch.
Proframe, Argus, MMM, uleko, Rolf, JORAPAVI, Pascaline, XOTAELE, kjpweb has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Ralf, realy imprssive shot, focus on the head is perfect, very good composition, thanks for shared
Pat

Hi Ralf
incredible! and such a lovely BG
superb!
Tfs
Tom

Hi Ralf
Superb in flight capture with great sharp focus on the head and tail of the Flycatcher.
Very beautiful wildlife action shot with lovely pose of the bird and most wonderful movement in the wings.
The soft green color tones in the background against wich the bird does stand out perfectly is very pleasing.
Excellent work. My comliments.
Thanks for sharing and the great note.
Best wishes,
Harry

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2456 W: 132 N: 7004] (21879)
  • [2007-08-20 5:48]

Wow! fine in-flight capture, Ralf!
Great POV and still sharpness of the head, tail and breast and fine blurred wing movements. Excellent Composition and BBG.
Well done and TFS!
Hälsningar,
Ivan

Jättebra bild! Äntligen får du utdelning på Öland denna sommar!

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 736 W: 0 N: 1495] (6744)
  • [2007-08-20 6:09]

Hi Ralf
Excellent in flight capture.I love the composition .Perfect focus on the head and tails give another dimension to your image.Also beautiful BG colors.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2342 W: 164 N: 7019] (22222)
  • [2007-08-20 6:14]

Hej Ralf,
What a catch! Very well-timed with excellent focus on the head. Lovely sense of movement and fine colours against the green backround.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Rolf Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 27] (196)
  • [2007-08-20 6:35]

Really good in flight capture with great sharp focus on the head.
TFS
Rolf

Very nice range of colours. Perfect focusing on head. Well captured, thank you.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hola Ralf,
Excelente y dinámica captura, con la dificultad de encuandrar y enfocar al vuelo, TFS. Saludos
José Ramón

A very differnt type of in-flight shot Ralf.
Well done on capturing the momment.

Great sharpness on the head, body , tail. The blurred wings give a great sense of movement.

Good one.

Chris

hello ralf
a dynamic image with flouté of the wings, a perfect framing, very beautiful photograph
gilbert

Bonsoir Ralf
Incroyable cette photo.La netteté sur la tête et les plumes de la queue et ce battement des ailes ,c'est vraiment magnifique
Bravo pour cet excellent travail
amitiés

Genial captura.
Magníficos detalles y agradable bg.
Hasta pronto, JL.

  • Great 
  • kjpweb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 367 W: 86 N: 1084] (4788)
  • [2007-08-21 11:35]

Wow - a cool capture! Great focus and action! Well done over the BG! Kudos! Cheers, Klaus

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 255 N: 2426] (11037)
  • [2007-08-25 1:57]

Hi Ralf,

I missed this one,a great capture,good POV,colors sharpness,I am wondering how you managed to capture this small one with 800mm,great camerawork,tfs

Paul

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