<< Previous Next >>

GREY HYPOCOLIUS


GREY HYPOCOLIUS
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2968 W: 108 N: 7679] (24860)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-04 11:35
Viewed: 677
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
GREY HYPOCOLIUS

I have already posted three images of this female Grey Hypocolius I shot here in Riyadh in January. It was wintering here alone and disappeared by the first week of February, most probably returning to its breeding habitat in Iran across the Persian Gulf.

I am posting one more picture of this bird. The picture was taken through a window level with the top of a palm tree outside my building. The bird had sounded particularly lonesome that morning as I could make out from its mewing calls. Taking a picture through and against the fronds of a palm is not an easy task. It is difficult to focus with so many branches criss-crossing the view. I managed a fairly clear shot but there was some noise which I had to dispense with using NeatImage.
In this picture, the bird is staring at me directly. The quality may not be up to the mark but there is some kind of appeal in the stare of the bird which I wanted to share with you.
Here is a brief note on Grey Hypocolius:

The Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus) is a small passerine bird species. It is the sole member of the genus Hypocolius and family Hypocoliidae. It ranges through the Middle East, breeding in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and wintering mostly near the Red Sea and Persian Gulf coasts of Arabia. It is found in bushes and scrub and also in palm groves and gardens.
The Hypocolius's shape and soft plumage resemble the waxwings'. Birds are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes. They have white-tipped black primary wing feathers and a black tip to the tail.
These birds eat berries with some insects. They lay 3-4 eggs in a nest in a bush.
Their relationships are unclear. They may be related to the waxwings, and some authorities place them in the same family, but others believe their closest relatives are the bulbuls.
The bird is not especially rare, but the political difficulties in getting into and around any of the countries in its range are formidable.

Info based on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypocolius

Thanks for looking.
jcoowanitwong, lgfoto, scottevers7, uleko, jeanpaul, jaycee, GLEM, cicindela, Debz, Adanac, saeedabbasi, pablominto, gannu, JORAPAVI, extramundi, delic, peter_stoeckl, star74, jmp, sranjan has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To peter_stoeckl: Thanks, Peterramthakur 1 04-13 12:24
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hello Ram,
A nice portrait. I like this soft color tone and blurred background. Also great pov and composition. It is wonderful to see such a diverse animals from your residence in the desert.
JC

  • Great 
  • lgfoto Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 198 W: 15 N: 286] (1466)
  • [2007-04-04 11:57]

Almost mysterious shot Ram ;-). It looks like the bird is hiding behind something.Very nice colour harmony.TFS

Hi Ram,
I really like it for all the various subtle shades of green color in this shot. I realize there is nothing you can do with the dark area, but you took it under some very challanging conditions. Overall composition is excellent. A little beauty!
Scott

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1144 W: 254 N: 2542] (11521)
  • [2007-04-04 12:36]

Hi Ram,

where you playing hide and seek? anyway a nice capture of this bird unknown to me,I like the soft colors,a pity of the branch in the compo,TFS

Paul

Hi ram,
The back ground makes this bird stand out very beautifully,You have managed to achieve a good picture even at such condition,Composition and framing is great.Love this cute lil bird.

Tfs

Pawan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2458 W: 168 N: 7420] (23432)
  • [2007-04-04 12:48]

Hello Ram,
This is a beautiful shot! You've caught the little bird in a lovely pose and light sharpness are excellent. I like the overall colour in this very nice composition, only a pity about the black shadow, but the diagonal shape doesn't spoil it too much.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2596 W: 133 N: 7433] (23169)
  • [2007-04-04 13:01]

Hello Ram,
You show an interesting view of the female Hypocolius, peeping from behind some dark object and pleasingly surounded by its palm-leafy habitat.
This is a fine capture but it was a good thing you didn't choose to use this one for an identification!
TFS and take care,
Ivan

Hi Ram
Belle composition et bonne couleurs. Domage que le que la photo soit sombre quelque peu mais on ne peut pas tout avoir dans la vie.
Merci pour l'envoi et bonne journée...JP

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1778 W: 8 N: 4597] (14871)
  • [2007-04-04 14:29]

Hi Ram,

What a lovely expression on this bird's face. Nice pose and an interesting picture. I like it.

Jane

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 524 W: 87 N: 693] (5739)
  • [2007-04-04 14:52]

hi Ram,
un portrait intimiste à la couleur et la lumière douce. Bonne netteté et point de vue original.

tfs

Hello Ram!
This is one of your best pictures I have seen till now :> I especially like the very cute POV of this picture. The pose of this bird is really very funny :)
Bravo fo professional note too.
Best regards,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 744 W: 11 N: 1405] (4829)
  • [2007-04-04 15:42]

Hi Ram

A very lovely shot, nicely composed with a great POV and pose, I love the expression of the birds face, really nice colours tones too.

TFS Hilary :o)

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-04-04 19:10]

Hello Ram, A really beautiful shot of this lovely little bird looking out at you! You have achieved a wonderful colour range and tone. The scene is nice and sharp and its a great POV.
Wonderful
tfs
debz

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4096] (13768)
  • [2007-04-04 20:12]

Hello Ram,
Such a beautiful image with the colors so close together with only subtle differences, sharp details and great eye contact.
Rick

nice post, liked the pose, colours, contrast very much,nice composition,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi dear Ram ,
it is lovely shot.
silent and kind.
it has great colour, sharpness and BG.
well done
thanks for sharing
Regards
Saeed

Hello Ram,
A fine little fellow in a delicate capture!
I like the composition, and all the lovely shades of green...
Good details in the bird, well composed presentation!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hola Ram,
Bonita toma, hasta el pajarito parece participar en ella, Saludos
José Ramón

I like the moody atmosphere in this one, added to the composition, and monochromatic tones, gives the shot a very mysterious feeling.
Lovely capture, TFS.
Best regards, Felipe.

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-04-11 8:57]

Hi again Ram,
I'm trying to make up for some lost time. This is a lovely picture of the hypocolius which almost concealed in the vegetation. Eye contact is very nice, esp. being right under the shade.
Best wishes,
Hakan

Hello Ram,
very good approach to this cute little passerine bird.
I like the way you show it well hidden in vegetation as if showing us a little secret. Beautiful composition with the laef crossing the image in a most elegant way.
I feel really sorry that my time for looking into TN is so limited these days and weeks. I miss a lot of postings and can only write a few critiques, while you are so prolific.
With thanks, and best regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • star74 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 294 W: 5 N: 619] (2466)
  • [2007-04-22 13:42]

Hi Ram,
Very nice pose,
Marvellous capture and great colors.
Very well presented.
TFS

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2007-05-03 16:33]

Hi Ram,
Very nice pose and beautiful solf colours. I like the way bird looks to us.
TFS, José M.

Dear Ram Sir,
Very interesting photograph of this cute female Grey Hypocolius. It has been framed well & has good sharpness, composition & POV. I agree with Paul, were you playing hide & seek??? TFS.
Regards-Subhash

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF