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Speke's Weaver


Speke's Weaver
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1697 W: 242 N: 5609] (19923)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS, Kenko 58mm UV filter
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-13 1:49
Viewed: 405
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This was taken at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford.

Speke's Weaver, Ploceus spekei, is a familiar East African songbird.

The eyes are pale and the bill is on the large side for a weaver. Unlike many weavers, it has the same plumage all year. The adult male is yellow with black throat (edged rusty), face, and bill, and variable black mottling on the back. The adult female's upperparts are dull olive-gray with dusky brown streaks; the underparts are pale yellow, whiter on the belly and grayer on the flanks. The juvenile is similar but duller.

The song is variable; one version is transcribed as "pew…pew…tew, chinkichi-chewchew-skerinkitsitew. Calls include harsh chatter at the nest and "a sharp tseep!"

This species nests in colonies or occasionally singly. The nest, often woven in an acacia, is spherical with a short entrance tube opening sideways or downward. Many grass stems project sloppily, sometimes obscuring the shape. It nests in both the short rainy season and the middle of the long rainy season. Typical clutches comprise four eggs, which are unmarked deep blue, somewhat pointed at both ends, 24 to 26 mm long and 15 to 17 mm wide.

Speke's Weaver is found in northern and eastern Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya (mostly the central highlands), and northeastern Tanzania. It inhabits savanna, bush, agricultural land, and towns. In parts of its range it is common, notably the densely populated area of Nairobi and environs, where it visits bird feeders.

This bird was named in honor of John Speke.


Thankyou for your comments
Silke, jcoowanitwong, ramthakur, LordPotty, eqshannon, Juyona, claudine, nglen, jaycee, pierrefonds, angybone has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rousettus: Thankyoujoey 1 10-15 01:04
To Freddie: Thanksjoey 1 10-15 01:00
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1729] (5398)
  • [2007-10-13 5:31]

Stunning close-up with outstanding details in the feathers! Excellent composition and superb colours
TFS
silke

Hello Joe,
Nice shot and good use of flash. I like the sharpness and color saturation of this picture. POV and composition are great. Very well done.
JC

Superb colours and details of the bird's plumage, Joe. The eye too is in sharp focus. The dark BG somehow suppresses the details on the black beak though, IMHO.
TFS and take care.
Ram

Beautiful capture of this Weaver Joe.
Love the colours,and good detail as well.
Very nice work.
Cheers,
Steve

A good choice of color and background. The black really makes the feathers stick out. Just like the pros Joey. Great shot..finely presented.
Bob

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2043 W: 6 N: 2025] (13279)
  • [2007-10-13 9:01]

Hola Joe,
buen retrato y color,
el plumaje espléndico,
saturación y textura,
saludos

hello joe,
lovely shot, the dark bg suits well, well saturated colours, nice pov, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

This is a brilliant and contrasted portrait of a very colorful fellow Joey! I like this composition with nice dark background that makes you lovely subject stands out well. This is a nice one with interesting notes. Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1995 W: 5 N: 5588] (21102)
  • [2007-10-13 9:50]

Hi Joe. You have done so well with the lighting and colours in this one. the detail in the eye and feathers is spot on . a very good POV against the black BG. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1791 W: 8 N: 4653] (15039)
  • [2007-10-13 10:26]

Hi Joe,

Wonderful close-up of this bird that is new to me. Amazing bright colors and that red eye is fantastic. Nice colors and details although the beak is lost in the black background.

Jane

Hi Joe, splendid portrait with great details, wonderful red eye, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-10-14 3:13]

Hi Joe,
Just marking this shot for a proper critique later. Hoping that my internet problem will be solved by the evening. Sorry again.
Regards.
Sumon

Hi Joe,

A nice close-up image of the Speke's Weaver, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

Superbe gros plan avec de magnifiques couleurs, très impressionnant.
Bravo
Marie

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 929 W: 4 N: 2322] (10812)
  • [2007-10-14 8:25]

Joey, Tks for your comments on my pic. Lovely This is a lovely shot with excellent focus on the eyes. Wow what a redding eye? Scary ganesh

Hi Joe,
There are many nice macro shot on your portfolio. This is one of best. Great sharpness and details. POV, composition, coloration and dark BG very nice. good notes. TFS, well done.
Ahmet

Hi Joe! Lovely vivid colors and fine details. I like the dark background against it. You could have blurred the background so you don't see noise.
TFS,
Freddie :)

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 764 W: 58 N: 631] (6504)
  • [2007-10-14 23:25]

Bonjour,
Intéressant de voir un oeil si vif !
Bonne journée.
clnaef

The dark background is perfect - brings out those brilliant colors! Great composition - love the way the bird is looking into the photo.

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