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I'm Shy


I'm Shy
Photo Information
Copyright: Aivar Mikko (metcher) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 12 N: 968] (4115)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 350D, Canon EF 300 f4L + Canon 1.4 converter
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds., Birds of South Africa 1, Birds of the World, Favorite Rollers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-12-10 10:19
Viewed: 1429
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The average size of the Lilac Breasted Roller is 14.5 inches. The washed green head is large, the neck is short, the greenish yellow legs are rather short and the feet are small. The beak is strong, arched and hooked-tipped. The tail is narrow and of medium length. The back and scapulars are brown. The shoulder of the wing, outer webs of the flight feathers and the rump are all violet. The bases of the primaries and their coverts are pale greenish blue and the outer tail feathers are elongated and blackish. The chin is whitish, shading to rich lilac of the breast. The underparts are greenish blue. The bill is black and the eyes are brown. It has large wings and strong flight.
Diet
The Lilac Breasted Roller feeds on grasshoppers, beetles, occasionally lizards, crabs, and small amphibians. They take prey from the ground.
Breeding
They make unlined nests in natural tree holes or in termite hills. Sometimes they take over woodpecker's or kingfisher's nest holes. They lay 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for 22-24 days. At 19 days the chicks are fully feathered and grayish brown.
Behaviour
Rollers get their name from their impressive courtship flight, a fast, shallow dive from considerable elevation with a rolling or fast rocking motion, accompanied by loud raucous calls.
All rollers appear to be monogamous and highly territorial. The Lilac Breasted Roller will perch on a dead tree, surveying the area for prey. One typical aspect of its behavior is that it also preys on animals fleeing from bush fires. It is a swift flier, indulging in acrobatics during the breeding season. They actually breed 'on the wing'. They live in pairs or small groups, but are often seen alone.
Their call is a loud harsh squawk, 'zaaak'. They are partly migratory, but in some areas they are sedentary. To feed they swoop down from an elevated perch next to their prey and eat it on the ground or return to a perch where they batter it before swallowing it whole. They are territorial, also defending temporarily small feeding territories; hence individuals are regularly spaced along roads. They drive off many species from near their nest hole, even after breeding.
Source: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_lilac_breasted_roller.html
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ISO 200
rufous03, mikou, Alain_cdn, fiyo, uleko, wishnugaruda, ramthakur, scottevers7, Alex99, Argus, undoredo, SkyF, coasties, RAP, jchemas, Tamrock, radz has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Neat shot, sharp, good details and good color. Too bad he wasn't cooperating with the photographer and looking at the camera.

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 863 W: 73 N: 1348] (5265)
  • [2006-12-10 10:29]

Hi Aivar.
Very beautiful shot.Very interesting POV shows splendid colours and nice details on main subject.Very much nice composition too.I like soft tones colours and lovely clean background.Also very attractive tree with big barbed.Well done,great work.
Congratulate and TFS
Regards Milos

Hello Aivar,

I really love this picture, sharp and in focus. Great details in the feathers. Beautifull BG and composition. TFS

Alain

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 924 W: 5 N: 2259] (8370)
  • [2006-12-10 10:45]

Hello Aivar,
What a wonderful picture of a very colorful bird with a
fantasticlight!!! TFS

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2459 W: 168 N: 7421] (23442)
  • [2006-12-10 10:52]

Hello Aivar,
Fantastic shot from an unusual angle displaying the wonderful colour of the Roller's feathers and details are razor sharp. His head is just perfectly turned to show the eye nicely. Great lighting, beautiful colour background and a perfect composition!
Many thanks, Ulla

Hi Aivar,
this bird is wonderful - what a nice pose and excellent sharpness on this colourful wings, thanks and bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Libor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 178 W: 1 N: 26] (1104)
  • [2006-12-10 12:03]

wauuu fantastic shot !!!

Hi Aivar,
An image of extremely superior quality fit to be included in a glossy book on birds!
A superb point of view that offers the finest aspect of this beautiful bird.
The BG suits the image very well.
Regards,
Ram

Hi Aivar,
This is a real beauty. Quality soft light and a spot on exposure. You have brought out the beautiful colors and tones in the plumage. Tack sharp detail. Well isolated from the nice OOF backround. Well done!
scott

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3030 W: 148 N: 4521] (14603)
  • [2006-12-10 13:16]

Hi Aivar.
Next your brilliant picture executed with great skillfulness. BRAVO!!!

POV is tremendous. BG is fantastic in its beauty (blurriness, colour tones are perfect at higest level). Details and sharpness of the bird and twigs are outstanding. The pose of the bird is simply amazing as well as the cropping and composition. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2597 W: 133 N: 7441] (23193)
  • [2006-12-10 15:37]

Wonderful capture, Aivar!
Among all the Lilac-breasted Rollers featured on TN, this is one of the best shots not only because of the sharpness, but the unusual POV. The bird has turned its head just enought ocapture the eye and the beak. This, combined with fine BG and acacia make it a top shot.
Well done!
TFS, best wishes, Ivan

Hello Aivar,
Wow, this is a fantastic shot you've taken.
Excellent delicate details and perfect DOF and POV.
Everything is just perfect!!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo.
Regards,
Kevin

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2006-12-10 16:09]

Hello Aivar,
this composition is wonderful, very well posed in front of this perfect BG. POV, sharpness and details are so wonderful.
TFS..Sky

Hi Aivar

Great image. Perfect catchlight, great pose, lovely colours. Very nice work. :-)

Hello Aivar,
A well composed presentation!
The subject is captured with great colours and sharp fine details...
A bit shy indeed, but still offering a nice profile!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 788 W: 31 N: 20] (5002)
  • [2006-12-11 9:27]

Hi Aivar,
good shot, beautiful bird, fine sharpness and DOF. I like it. Well done.
Gr., Aleksander

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-12-11 12:35]

Excelente agudeza y definición Aivar para mostrarnos esta bella ave, muy bien retratada, con un punto de vista inusual pero efectivo.
Me gustan los colores captados realzados por el apropiado fondo difuso.
Correcto encuadre con el animal descentrada y exhibiendo las espinas de la planta, estéticamente muy agradables.
Un cordial saludo desde Buenos Aires... Ricardo

Excellent sharpness and definition Aivar to show us this beautiful bird, very well depicted, with an unusual but effective point of view.
I like captured colors enhanced by the appropriate diffuse backdrop.
Correct framing with the uncentered animal and exhibiting the thorns of the plant, aesthetically very pleasant.
A cordial greeting from Buenos Aires... Ricardo

Hello Aivar
Great shot of this beautiful roller.
Superb colors and details and I like very much the POV, DOF and BG.
Regards and TFS

hello aivar!
what a beauty!
very good composed and great sharpness
nice background and pov

salut aivar
j'aime ce cliché pour ses couleurs et son POV.
les details dans le plumage sont extra,la netteté est excellente sur le FG et le BG parfaitement oof.
laurent

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 614 W: 11 N: 623] (3316)
  • [2007-01-26 6:22]

Very beautiful shot !!Lovely colours!!Deatails are awesome!!

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