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Black Fantail


Black Fantail
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3815 W: 505 N: 8090] (27700)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-19
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: South Island Winter Holiday 2005
Date Submitted: 2005-08-19 16:13
Viewed: 1656
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
During our stay in Kaikoura, we took a 3 hour guided walk through Mt Fyfe reserve to see and hopefully photograph some native and introduced birds. It wasn't until then that I was advised by our guide, Barry, that we not only have the Pied Fantail, but there is also a Black Fantail. We were lucky enough to see one, just a quick peek, before it headed for the hills. Today, we are at Takaka, just on the edge of the Able Tasman National Park, and I was fortunate enough to have two that played nicely for the camera. This is one of many shots I was able to get. I used my external flash, thanks Gerhard, Adrian and Mike for your advice in the use of this. I hope you like him. Another treasured prize for me on our wonderful trip. Thanks for looking.

FANTAIL (Rhipidura fuliginosa)

This aptly named species is one that has been able to adapt itself very satisfactorily to an environment that has been greatly changed since European settlement. Originally a bird of open native forests and scrub, it is now also to be found in the forests of introduced pines, in orchards, and in and around the botanic gardens of our largest cities. At times it may appear far from any large stands of shrubs or trees and has an altitudinal range that extends from sea level to the snow line. Its geographical range is very wide within New Zealand, though it does not occur on our sub-Antarctic islands, nor on the Kermadecs.

Three subspecies are recognised – one on the North Island and its off-lying islands, one on the South Island, Stewart Island, and their nearby outliers, and one on the Chathams. The differences between the subspecies are small ones of plumage pattern and size.

Except for the Chatham Islands race, the species is dimorphic; that is, two colour phases exist. In addition to the usual pied, or black and white form, there is a black one. This is relatively common in the south-western part of the South Island and is not infrequently met with in other parts of this island and on Stewart Island but is rare in the North Island, though it has been reported from a wide area. Pied and black forms readily breed together to give both black and pied offspring, and matings between two black birds have been reported to yield both black and pied young.

The above obtained from http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/F/Fantail/Fantail/en

IMAGE INFORMATION
Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 5:26 p.m.
Date: 19th August 2005
Weather conditions: Night Fall
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw
External Flash: Canon 580EX
Luc, sway, scottevers7, liquidsunshine, red45, marhowie, Janice has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • sway Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 85 N: 308] (1224)
  • [2005-08-19 18:28]

Hi Pam,
This one is a new one to me! I will keep a look out for them when we travel the South Island early next year.
Nice shot. Well composed.
The background works well.
Great work.
:)

Hi Pam,
An excellent capture. The color and detail are superb. The fill flash gavey ou a perfect exposure.
Scott

We certainly don't get this form in Oz, so a new taxa for me, and well worth sharing on TN.
In this instance the flash was essential and is not too distracting. Great capture and note. Nice and sharp and the charcoal plumage is well reproduced.

A rushed weekend critique I'm afraid,
Great capture Pam, thanks for posting.
Have a great weekend

  • Great 
  • VeTTe Gold Star Critiquer [C: 162 W: 0 N: 0] (684)
  • [2005-08-20 3:33]

so cute :)
good sharpness..
good shot!
TFS!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-08-20 4:00]

I thought that silvereyes are most cute birds from Pam, but I was wrong! This one is a winner. Ball of sof feathers with looong tail. Megacute! Excellent post.

Very nice picture, Pam. The focus is spot-on, as well as the DOF. The catchlight in the eye of the flash is fortunate.

Well done.
Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • tjasa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 100 W: 0 N: 84] (647)
  • [2005-08-20 4:34]

Hey Pam!
I really like your picture. The bird is beautyful. You captured him very well.
have a nice day!

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-08-20 6:10]

Hi Pam,

This is a good capture. I especially admire the exposure on this one. The external Flash seems to work fine, eh? When I get back from my holiday (and have a little spare money left) I will also buy the Canon 580EX speedlite flash. In this case the black border is a bit heavy for me, but that's strange as I normally really like thick borders. TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

  • Great 
  • law Gold Star Critiquer [C: 60 W: 2 N: 7] (87)
  • [2005-08-20 6:48]

Good capture! The color and detail are great. Well done.
Lawrence

Good Morning Pam, Great use of flash to bring out these excellent details. Very good exposure, with a great pose/POV. I like this, Very good job!

Hi Pam...I've never seen this bird before. Thanks for introducing us :-) You captured the coloring wondderfully and detail is very crisp. Great composition with BG setting him off well. Very nicely done! Once again, thanks for sharing your holiday.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-08-21 5:57]

SUPER Pam. What a little cuty, so sharp and black. And I can see the twinkle in his eye too. Oh what marvellous photos you took on holiday. You must be thrilled.
How was the skiing?

  • Great 
  • twin Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 252 W: 17 N: 494] (3255)
  • [2005-08-23 10:51]

looks very cute, and strange to me... the flash seems, worked fine... beautiful shot... well done Pam...
congratulations...

Pam,
I have seen a black fantails in the Auckland Domain. At the time I did not know what it was but its behaver was typical that of a fantail. It was not till I returned home and contacted a bird website that I found out we had them but not normally this far north.
Cheers Clive

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