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Green Figbird


Green Figbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Cridland (rcrick) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 712 W: 36 N: 1553] (4999)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm USM 2.8 + 2 x Extender, SanDisk Extr. IV 2Gb
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1000 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My Backyard Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-02 18:31
Viewed: 785
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is my second posting of a Male Australian Green Figbird, my first posting wasn’t all that good, even though I have used the same lens on both occasions, this time I used a 2x converter to get me closer to the subject rather then croping the image tighter.

I’m still a little weary of using converters because I always thought they degenerated the image, but having seen some of the pictures posted of T.N recently using converters I thought I would give it a try.

Also the other reason for posting this guy is because it has taken up residence in my back garden, well actually my neighbors’ garden but the branches overhang, and there is also a female which I managed to capture as well, (posting tomorrow).

There are two species of Figbirds the Australasian (Green) Figbird, and the Australasian (Yellow) Figbird. The green Figbird has a black bill, and the facial skin can be Red, Pinkish, or Orange, a black head with a complete grey collar, and a rich green-yellow body above, and green belly below.

The Australasian (Yellow) Figbird is almost identical but without the Grey collar, and a brilliant Yellow body from the chin to the lower body.

They also live in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees, mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.

They feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.

The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.

Figbirds are commonly encountered in city parks that contain fig trees, and will often visit orchards and gardens that have leafy trees and berry-producing plants.

Reference: Simpson & Day, Field Guide to the Birds of Australia

Details; Shot Raw and converted to Jpeg, cropped and resized, sharpened slightly for posting.

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time 3/09/2008 7:26:40 AM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 6.3
Metering Mode Partial Metering
Exposure Compensation -1/3
ISO Speed 250
Lens EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x
Focal Length 800.0 mm
Image Size 578x800
Image Quality Superfine
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Daylight
White balance compensation A1 G1
AF Mode AI Servo AF
Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 5
Contrast 2
Saturation 1
Color tone 1
Color Space sRGB
Long exposure noise reduction 2:Enable
High ISO speed noise reduction 1:Enable
Highlight tone priority 0:Disable
File Size 119 KB
Drive Mode Single shooting
tkp1165, vanderschelden, Argus, Jamesp, loot, jpdenk, uleko, JoseMiguel, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Great shot Richard. Nice lighting,Very sharp,Good detail and nice job on the BG. TFS
Tom

Rick,

I've always said that there is nothing like filling the frame up with your subject. In case of birds, it is hard to get good details of the plumage without being close. I'd give a tele-converter a try but my 300 would loose its AF (plus one or two stops) so that basically ends my tele-converter experiments... You're totally right though. Great pictures are still possible with tele-converters - just look at this one :)
BTW, congrats on having such wonderful birds nesting in your backyard. That's awesome!

Best Regards,

Martin

Hello Richard,
I read your note and I agree concerning the teleconverters. I prefer not to use them though.
I have a 1,4x and if I can I don't use it.
Good bird portrait with a nice blue sky as background.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2008-09-02 22:44]

Hello Rick,
This is one of the best portraits of a Figbird that I have seen with great pose, POV lighting and sharpness, all set in a pleasing composition.
In my Simpson and Day the Yellow and the Green are described as subspecies: I see that they have now become separate species. I can now change my Australian species list!
TFS this beauty,
Cheers,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 194 W: 16 N: 618] (2530)
  • [2008-09-02 22:54]

Hi Rick , this is a really great photo of the figbird , with sharp detail , nice color and pose of the bird. Thanks for sharing it
regards
Art

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2008-09-02 23:16]

Hi Rick

Great shot - lovley pose with excellent detail and colour. Well observed and captured.

James

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5451 W: 594 N: 3649] (10029)
  • [2008-09-02 23:42]

Hi Richard

You're right, cropping to size does not beat the strength of the lens. This shot came out much better than your previous posting of this bird. The sharper details and better colour definition all ads up for a clear shot of this Green Figbird.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hello Richard,

Beautiful capture of this superb bird. Excellent light and sharpness. Very good colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2386 W: 94 N: 5517] (17564)
  • [2008-09-03 8:09]

Hello Richard,
Beautiful photo of this Green Figbird. Good sharpness and natural colours. Great blue sky as BG. Nice composition.
Kind regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • jpdenk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 5 N: 783] (2061)
  • [2008-09-03 12:40]

Hi Rick,

A nice image of this handsome bird, I like it a lot.

John

Hello Rick,
Great capture, excellent sharpness and depth of field, nice colors and good details.
Angela

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2008-09-04 2:58]

Hello Rick,
A lovely view of the Green Figbird in a nice pose showing the red ring around the eye clearly. Great details and nice natural colours too in this fine composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hi Richard,
This picture is so inspiring for me.
I like a lot the pose got, focus, sharp details and overall quality.
The exposure compensation worked pretty well, you kept the tonal range under control, in despite of having feather's colours ranging from almost black to white.
It should be great to find out this new residents around, isn't it?
Thanks so much for present this new specie to me, both male and female.
Best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-09-05 5:50]

Hi Rick,
You got a good result with the converter. It's a well focused, sharp and a clear image. TFS
All the best,
Selen

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