<< Previous Next >>

The Demolition Agent


The Demolition Agent
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 106 N: 2659] (7495)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 120-300 F2.8
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Weavers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-22 7:34
Viewed: 1151
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cape Weaver [F] - 2nd post of 4. Continuing form yesterday, with the exception of sparrows, all the males in this Family – Ploceidae - are brightly coloured during summer, reverting to LBJ status in the non breeding season. The majority of these birds are polygamous, the male building the nests, the female attending to the parental chores. 8 of the 13 weaver species found in SA nest communally & they are conspicuous and noisy. Though giving the impression of a chaotic conglomeration, they enact some of the most intricate avian behaviour. The male builds several kidney shaped nests – each weaver has a distinctive nest design & one can ID these birds on the nests they built. Building material is long pieces of grass or palm leaves. They “chip” at the leave, grab it in their bill, and fly off, the flying action assisting in tearing a long string off the leaf. In high breeding frenzy, weavers “steal” form one another. I have watched this building process, some males remaining behind constructing while others fly off in pursuit of nesting material. The one “staying” will pull the strand of leave or grass out of the neat of his neighbour and weave it into his own nests. There is much fun & flying “fisticuffs” in this construction business. Females are the Building Inspectors, & take no nonsense with sloppy work, they no not just condemn is, they demolish it immediately - call them the Demolition Experts. More tomorrow. Taken @Krugersdorp Game Reserve; ISO 200 @ -0,7 EV; Nikon D70; Sigma 120-300 F2.8 lens & 2X converter @ Focal length 600 mm; 1/500 @ F8; Aperture Priority Mode; no flash, Pattern Metering Mode; Manfrotto Tripod and Wimberley head; Enough cropping; little USM & some Hue & saturation brightness; reduced to Site size. As mentioned before, I love fat, fluffy birds, and they will all be like this. The detail suffers a bit on fluffy feathers, but static birds and smooth feathers do not bring-on a smile on my dial! I added a WS with a bit more colour etc.
elihesam, letr, RAP, ellis49, gerhardt, carper, japie, PDP, mogens-j, Lourens, nwoehnl, AndyB, milloup, gazo has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi dear Callie.Missed you,friend,not in TE,only TN:)))
Hope you have a nice time alwayas & enjoye for everything.
***
The eyes is very strong point in this colors,a small spot but very effective,colors are soft & I think it's ok,callie.
Very nice captured,like some birds in your shots,she posed only for you:)
Very well composed in right side with a fine background.
Yours Truly
Mohammad

DOF is good, feather detail is good, and I like the catch lights in the eyes...she looks like she is up to something!

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-22 8:31]

fluffy bird Callie, like the pose here with the good details and the excellent note !!

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-22 8:36]

Excelente Callie... tanto la original, como la version del Workshop.
Hermosa ave, excelente encuadre, colores muy agradables y una perfecta profundidad.
Muy buenas notas las que acompañan.

Excellent Callie... as much the original one, as the version of the Workshop. Beautiful bird, superior frame, very pleasant colors and a perfect depth. Very good notes those that accompany.

You have used Big Bertha for this
Very beautiful Callie
Good colors and good DOF.
I think I like the WS better , it's more details.
The original is great too.
A great note as usual
Well done.

The love of your life... Big fat fluffy birds. Very nice take on this portrait. Lifelike eye. The glimmer on the beak makes this for me. Great follow up with the note. I like the WS version more but it's personal taste. Thanx for sharing Callie.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2165 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2004-08-22 12:02]

Hij is prachtig Callie, mooi vogel,
Beautiful capture, good colours, great dof, very great note.
Je weet dat ik een zwak heb voor die vogel,
Erg goed werk Callie, I love it.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-08-22 14:11]

WOW, I love the eye! This is a superb portrait of this little one. Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11755)
  • [2004-08-22 14:58]

Fat fat fat, what a chubby looking bird. Excellent composition and colour. Really nice work.

Great capture of this little chap Callie. Lots of details in the plumage and that look in its eye - very cute. Very good cropping.

Excellent, callie. Baie mooi duidelike oog. Each time I visit the aviary at the Krugersdorp Game reserve I see something new. I notice you visit it quite often. Give me a ring and possibly we can go together sometime.

Nice to see the female today, Callie. Love the detail and color hues in the plumage, and the sparkle in her bright eye. As always the best notes, thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2004-08-22 16:34]

A nice capture.
Nice tones of colour with excellent composition and great DoF.
The eye detail is amazing.
Excellent work,well done.

Beautiful capture with an almost dream-like quality about it ;-)

Callie, Very nice head-shot with with an overall soft feeling portrayed. I read your note about the "fluffy feathers" and how the detail has suffered. It's true that AF will not be perfect many times this type of surface..Did you try shooting in MF mode at all? (I know it's a chore!)

  • Great 
  • gazo Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 74 W: 0 N: 13] (88)
  • [2004-10-14 16:48]

How can I choose one...all, I mean all your photos are wonderfull. Really. The colors, sharp, your description .
Keep on, I will be back sometimes for looking again.
Thanks for visiting mines.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF