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Eyes of Blue


Eyes of Blue
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Cridland (rcrick) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 629 W: 42 N: 1156] (3736)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D, Canon EF100-400 F4.5-5.6L IS USM, SanDisk Extr. IV 2Gb, Hoya 77mm Pro1 DMC UV LPF
Exposure: f/8, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Girraween National Park [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-23 18:32
Viewed: 733
Favorites: 4 [view]
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have posted an image of a female Satin Bowerbird on a previous occasion so apologies for repeating this, but I took this at lunchtime on the last day on our trip to the Girraween National Park. We had spent the morning walking down to a place called the “Junction” were Bald Rock and Ramsay Creek meet a stunning place which I will post a picture of soon.

But back to the Satin Bowerbirds they are medium-sized birds. The adult male has striking glossy blue-black plumage, a pale bluish white bill and a violet-blue iris. Younger males and females are similar in colour to each other, and are collectively referred to as 'green' birds. They are olive-green above, off-white with dark scalloping below and have brown wings and tail. The bill is browner in colour. Young males may begin to acquire their adult plumage in their fifth year and are not fully 'attired' until they are seven.

They are found along most of the eastern and south-eastern coast of Australia.
Satin Bowerbirds prefer the wetter forests and woodlands, and nearby open areas, although those around the Atherton Tableland are largely rainforest inhabitants.

The mature male Satin Bowerbirds are mostly solitary, but the 'green' birds are often seen in groups or quite large flocks. In winter (outside of the breeding season), birds move to more open country, and occasionally enter orchards. At this time, mature males may join the 'green' bird flocks.

They feed mostly on fruits throughout the year. During summer (breeding) the diet is supplemented with a large number of insects, while leaves are often eaten during the winter months.

The male Satin Bowerbird is perhaps the best known and well documented of all the bowerbirds in Australia. This fame partially stems from its practice of building and decorating a bower to attract females. This consists of two parallel walls of sticks, is built on the ground, and is used as a courtship arena during the breeding season. The male decorates it with bright blue coloured objects that it collects; blue clothes pegs, drinking straws and bottle tops are among the favourite stolen items, while bright blue parrot feathers, flowers and brown snail shells, make up the majority of decorations away from human habitation. A mixture of chewed vegetable matter and saliva is used to paint the walls of the bower. The bower owner meticulously maintains it throughout the year. The breeding season runs from, and both mature and immature males build bowers and display to prospective females.

On the arrival of a female, the male Satin Bowerbird leaps into a ritualised display of exaggerated movements, such as strutting and bowing, with wings outstretched and quivering, and accompanied by a variety of mechanical-sounding calls, such as buzzing and rattling interspersed with mimicry. One of the bower decorations is usually carried in the male's bill. If impressed, the female moves into the bower avenue for mating and then leaves to perform the nesting duties on her own, while the male readies himself for courting more prospective females.

The female places a loose nest of sticks in a tree or bush, up to 30 m – 35 m above the ground.

An Audio Link can be found at the following address: - “http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/ptilonorhynchus-violaceus.mp3”

Details; Shot Raw converted to Jpeg cropped and re-sized, passed though “neat image” to reduce the digital noise after sharpening slightly.

Camera Model Canon EOS 5D
Shooting Date/Time 1/05/2008 12:46:07 PM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
Metering Mode Spot Metering
Exposure Compensation -1/3
ISO Speed 320
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length 400.0 mm
Image Size 480x800
Image Quality Superfine
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Focus AF
Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 5
Contrast 2
Saturation 2
Color tone 1
Color Space sRGB
Noise Reduction On
File Size 174 KB
Custom Function C.Fn:00-0
Drive Mode Continuous shooting
MartinL, LordPotty, SueThomson, jaycee, uleko, Art_R, Argus, maurydv, mariki, JPlumb, darwin, Miss_Piggy, jpdenk, smitha, Janice, ramthakur, marhowie has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To waminda2020: Eyes of Bluercrick 1 06-20 16:50
To carper: Eyes of Bluercrick 1 05-24 23:56
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Critiques [Translate]

Rick,

Do not apologize for posting this wonderful shot - its going right into my favorites :)
This is an amazing looking bird. The plumage and eye color are truly amazing. You've composed this shot really well, with great detail and sharpness. Great work mate. TFS

Best Regards,

Martin

Yeah Rick ... post as many as you like of whatever you like ... we all do :)
This is a superb capture of the female Bowerbird.
The details in the plumage are great,and that amazing eye is soooo blue.
Great work all round.
Cheers
Steve

Hi Richard
This is a stunning image. Awesome colour and sharpness. I like the cobweb in the lower left too...a reminder of nature at work.
Cheers
Sue

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2008-05-23 21:00]

Hi Richard,

Perfect title for this beautiful green bird. Fantastic shot with the most wonderful details - plummage is magnificent. I love the way the Satin Bowerbird is framed by the trees.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 199 W: 16 N: 478] (1975)
  • [2008-05-23 21:56]

Hi Rick , a beautiful bird , well photographed , very nice color and detail , I like the framing created by the tree , and of course that striking blue eye. TFS
regards
Art

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 289 W: 3 N: 788] (2822)
  • [2008-05-23 23:31]

Hello Richard,
A fantastic picture!! I love the colors and sharpness. Incredible detail!! Great pov. Also a very interesting and informative note.
Best Regards
Siggi

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2613 W: 133 N: 7504] (23403)
  • [2008-05-23 23:44]

Hello Richard,
A superb close portrait of a female Satin Bowerbird. Technically top class and in a fine composition and pose between the branches with the spiders web adding a fine touch at the base of the image.
Very nice indeed, and TFS!
Ivan

Meraviglioso ritratto, eccellenti POV e composizione, straordinaria nitidezza e definizione di ogni dettaglio, spettacolare il particolare della ragnatela, magnifici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hello Richard,

Beautiful composition. Excellent framing. Great sharpness. Splendid colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 392 W: 41 N: 735] (2314)
  • [2008-05-24 2:42]

Hi Richard, this is real stunner, I could n'ver imagine they could get this blue on these birds.Wow, it's as if someone really put that colour into its eye rim.This is one of those moments i admire the wonders of nature.And you have done very well to freeze it and share with all of us.Superb pose with fantastic clarity and colours.
Thanks for sharing

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2008-05-24 3:54]

Hello Rick,
Please, keep on posting Bowerbirds for us to see - they are wonderful birds!! This is a brilliant capture showing it in a fine pose with great focus on the blue eye. Impressive sharpness too and wonderful light and colours. Excellent work!
Many thanks and cheers, Ulla

Hi Richard

A very nice shot of the female satin.
Great composition and inquisitive pose.
Brilliant sharpness and plumage detail
Great POV and DOF

Chris

amazing bird, amazing eye! TFS Ori

Very excellent composition on this Satin Bowerbird Rick, with her between the two branches. Your title is quite appropriate here, that is one awesome looking eye, you've caught it well. The detail is sharp and fabulous on the bird and that tree, with excellent focus on these two and excellent depth of field. The colour found on that bird awesome. I even like the spider web.

Thanks, John

Hi Rick
Wonderful capture with lovely color tones in the feathers and a stunning blue eye
Well composed with fine detail
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1213 W: 68 N: 2512] (8287)
  • [2008-05-24 10:09]

Hello Richard,
Wonderful photo of this special bird, the Satin Bowerbird. Excellent sharpness and details in the plumage. Beautiful light and colours.
Regards,
Peter

I go forr this one rick,
and that because the pov is better then your last one, eyecontact with the camera, good details and fantastic sharpnes and good colours, fine photojob, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

Hallo Richard
Thanks for your regular visits to my gallery, each time leaving a smiley. It is much appreciated. Wonderful capture of this lovely Bowerbird. The image has great sharpness and nice details have been captured, the plumage displays lovely, and is very colourful. The greenish layer of feathers adds a special touch to this beautiful bird. I am really stunt by the beauty of this bird. The blue eye is just magic. Also a interesting note. I think you have managed this photo technically great. I thank you kindly.
Kind regards
Anna

Hi Rick,

Excellent shot of this attractive bird, love the blue yes especially.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-26 11:35]

Hello Rick

The eyes are captivating.
Wonderful focus and sharpness.
The details are excellent.
You have composed this shot well in a natural setting.
Great capture.
TFS
Rob

  • Great 
  • smitha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 284 W: 77 N: 905] (3427)
  • [2008-05-26 22:43]

Hi Richard,
"Eyes of Blue, Lovely too":) It reminds me of the nursery rhyme that my daughter often sings. Please don't apologise for posting such beautiful pictures. It is always a joy to look at them.
Excellent capture of the Bower Bird. Fine POV and DOF. Incredible sharpness and details. The eye looks stunning. Lovely colours. beautiful lighting and superb composition. Glad that you included the cobweb in the frame.
Regards,
Smitha.
P.S.: Thanks for the detailed notes. I searched the net and found the bower made by the male Bower Bird. I was amazed to see one picture in which the bower is decorated with plenty of blue straws and other tidbits of the same colour.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5902] (17486)
  • [2008-05-27 1:51]

Hi Rick I love these eyes. What a pretty blue. In fact, the whole bird is quite attractive. So, it's a Satin Bowerbird - I haven't seen or heard of one of these before.
Very well captured and displayed
Janice

Beautiful bird and a superb capture between two tree trunks, Richard.
Moreover, there is a spider web too between them.
Perfect setting and a weel composed, sharp and colourful image.
TFS and regards.
Ram

Very beautiful bird Richard, the eyes are striking.
Great job on the exposure without direct light & No flash.
Nice color, detail, DOF, POV, & it's an excellent comp with the bit of spider web bottom a nice touch :)
Well done!
Howard

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2351 W: 61 N: 3811] (12226)
  • [2008-06-10 3:47]

Hi Rick,
What a beautiful bird! The eye and the colors of the plumage look great. I liked your frontal POV, details and the composition. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

Richard, I have never seen a female satin bower bird before and only have 1 shot of a male ,(which isn't very good). This is a very good capture, well composed and so clear!!!! wonderful job, it cements me as a fan!!!! well done.......mark

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