Laughing Kookaburra

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Laughing Kookaburra
Photo Information
Copyright: Sue Thomson (SueThomson) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 0 N: 173] (543)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, 75-300 Canon EF
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/4 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-04-26 17:46
Viewed: 507
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This photo was taken at Mt Tamborine Botanical Gardens late in the afternoon. There were a few kookaburras flying around and apparently they make quite a noise in the morning with their raucaus laughter.

The Laughing Kookaburra is found throughout eastern Australia. It has also been introduced to Tasmania and the extreme south-west of Western Australia, as well as New Zealand. It inhabits most areas where there are suitable trees.

The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognisable in both plumage and voice. This large member of the kingfisher family measures 40 - 45 cm in length. It is generally off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings. The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black. There is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face.

The chuckling voice that gives this species its English name is a common and familiar sound throughout the bird's range. The loud 'koo-koo-koo-koo-koo-kaa-kaa-kaa' is often sung in a chorus with other individuals. The Laughing Kookaburra also has a shorter 'koooaa', which is normally given when accompanied by other members of its family group. .

Laughing Kookaburras feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Prey is seized by pouncing from a suitable perch. Small prey is eaten whole, but larger prey is killed by bashing it against the ground or tree branch. Laughing Kookaburras often become quite tame around humans and will readily accept scraps of meat. This 'pre-processed' food is still beaten against a perch before swallowing.

Laughing Kookaburras breed from August to January. The birds are believed to pair for life. The nest is a bare chamber in a naturally occurring tree hollow or in a burrow excavated in an arboreal (tree-dwelling) termite mound. Both sexes share the incubation duties and both care for the young. Other Laughing Kookaburras, usually offspring of the previous 1-2 years, act as 'helpers' during the breeding season. Every bird in the group shares all parenting duties.
inked, JPlumb, Heaven has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Jamesp: Laughing KookaburraSueThomson 1 04-30 00:35
To rcrick: Laughing KookaburraSueThomson 1 04-28 01:58
To inked: Laughing KookaburraSueThomson 1 04-28 01:47
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Sue,

This is a good effort in what clearly was difficult lighting conditions, I really like the tight crop but its just a little soft, hope you don't mind but I have tried a w/s hopefully to sharpen the overall image, you haven’t mentioned what ISO you were using, perhaps something a little faster might of helped in bringing out more of the detail, or may be using a fill flash when shooting under a canopy, all in all still a good shot well composed and framed.

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 125 W: 0 N: 213] (634)
  • [2008-04-27 16:44]
  • [+]

hi Sue,
nice shot of this kookaburra, in some very difficult lighting conditions. I'm still practicing my shots with various settings to try get decent results at this time, as that's when a lot of the birds are out! As Richard said, you haven't mentioned your ISO settings.. Definitely worth raising it a bit if you haven't already. But nice pose and composition. Quite well done for a hard shot to get.
tfs
Gethin

Hi Sue, it's a little soft, but that is easily fixed with some PP. What I like is the very close and well positioned focus you have on this guy. Your depth of field is excellent with great focus on the bird, with a muted fore and background. Colour is good, and the detail while it can use a little sharpening is very good. Very nice.

Thanks, John

Hi Sue,
I am new to this - so here goes.
Having read the comments so far, I am wondering as to the age of the chap in your photo. The attempts to 'sharpen' the image may be related to the bird being young and with immature feathering.
I will be watching for further work from you.
TTYL,
S

  • Good 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 323 W: 74 N: 601] (2369)
  • [2008-04-29 21:26]

Hi Sue!

I notice that you are quite new here on TN and wish you many pleasant hours. I like your picture of the Kookaburra very much, although it lacks of sharpness and lighting. But it's still nice and pleasant. And it remembers me my visit to Australia a couple of years ago...

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1185 W: 0 N: 4325] (12672)
  • [2008-04-29 22:09]
  • [+]

Hi Sue

A lovely close-up and pose, so well done for that. I find bird shots more difficult than animals, so keep my finger on the button and take as many as possible - I still don't get that many really sharp ones.

James

Nice close up Sue. He seems a little cheeky. I love the his colours and great DOF.
Di

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