<< Previous Next >>

Raindrops keep falling on my . . .


Raindrops keep falling on my . . .
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-03
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Colourful Birds, Kruger National Park 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-06-13 14:50
Viewed: 6676
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Only editing auto levels, some cropping to show the raindrops - he is showering in the rain, one of a set of 10 pictures I was lucky and fortunate enough to have captured along the main road between Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park on 3 April 2006. The total time elapsed was just less than 2 minutes. He was grooming, I was zooming, and some photographs did not make the grade though. Using a Nikkor 200-400 VRS f4 with a 1.4 TC on a D200 body, focal length was between 300 and 570 mm. His moving wings made is extremely difficult to frame and shoot.
Our trip was speckled with sun, overcast conditions and light rain. We stopped to photograph the most beautiful European Bee-eater, where this guy was sitting in the same tree, pure serendipity. The ungrateful bee-eater left before I could lay a lens on it. I have rested the lens on our car fridge, the perfect support, on beanbags for this shoot, out of the rain.
Certain birds has a habit to lie on an ant nest, where they spread their wings and allow the ants to walk over them, presumably to remove scales or ecto-parasites from their plumage. I have never before experienced or seen such behaviour like this. He was wriggling his body all over that perch, shaking his vent and turning his head, really enjoying the shower

Certain birds, inter alia the rollers, and the starlings, display constantly changing colours in their plumage under certain light intensities or temperatures, where these colours are enhanced and emphasized or rendered dull. Overcast weather, the normal enemy of great, Golden Hour light, is your friend here in these instances. It just brings out nuances in the colour in their plumage that is not otherwise visible.

I am moved by the welcome I have received today in my post for Luc - from the old timers, and form some newer members, I really appreciate it, and therefore would like to share what I think is a unique picture with you. We see so many wonderful scenes around us, and so little time to share, but Gerhard let me know about Luc, I told Jean Michel, so, even if I am not here anymore, shall I say regularly, I do pop in, I see growth in many of you, and know all is well.
Take care, enjoy TN, and who knows, we might meet again.
Miss you already
Callie
Sorry, I forgot, this is a Lilac-breasted Roller, often posted by Netfalls
extramundi, hekcik, elefantino, loot, scottevers7, AndyB, dew77, soccer, thistle, marhowie, pilonm, coasties, Luc 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]

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 588 W: 90 N: 975] (3321)
  • [2006-06-13 15:08]

Hello Callie,

What a wondeful picture of a wonderful bird!!! He looks like he was posing uniquely for you! Colors are vivid and looks so natural! You managed also excellently well your exposition so get such colors on a rainy day! Very well done and TFS,

Michel

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1659 W: 95 N: 2273] (8415)
  • [2006-06-13 15:10]

Hi Callie,
A great shot of this wonderful bird! Compostion, details and pose are outstanding!
TFS, José M.

Not so long, I am in and out, but like you never forget my TN friends, and fall around from time to time. I am very happy to meet you again now I am sad about Luc. I try to keep my mind in the very positive moments we had together.
By the way, what is this a bird or a artist palette :)
As always this is not just an image, but a scene, a great piece of life, like most of your posts. Congratulations and my best wishes, my friend.

Dear Callie, I love this roller.
The moment you frozen was superb.
Lovely compositions.
Andrea

wonderfull photo;-))

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-06-13 16:49]

Hello Callie , A Very Great shot from this bird , beauty colours pose details ,bg ,tfs greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • emmari Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 0 N: 387] (3105)
  • [2006-06-13 16:57]

Wonderful scene. Colours and sharpness are very good.
Congratulations.
Emmanuel

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2006-06-13 17:06]

Hello Callie
Uiteindelike kry ek die geleentheid om met 'n lewendige Callie te gesels. Welkom terug al is dit dalk net vir 'n wyle.

What a surprise to see a posting form you. I missed the one yesterday, but this is the second one only since your last posting 5 months ago. You disappeared or became inactive just before I joined and I have heard so much and read so much about you that I almost feel we know each other. Only it is one sided. It is a pity that it took such a sad occasion as Luc's announced departure to bring you back. Luc spoke so many times about you, how he missed you, and how much he has learned from you. He was a great presence on TN and will also be sorely missed.
This photo of the roller is a pleasure to behold as you have really captured it in an excellent composition with a stunning POV. One can even see the rain drops as you froze them in mid air. The colours are brilliant, the DOF is spot-on showing perfect details on the bird, the darkish BG is well OOF and evenly coloured thereby enhancing the bird, and the exposure was expertly managed.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot
PS. Just as a matter of intrest, I occasionally visit some of your other sites to view your lovely photos of South African wild life, example Wild Things and also PANWILD.com.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2006-06-13 17:37]

Hey Callie, In love these birds - and first time I ever saw one was on TN. What a lot we have to be thankful for about TN.
Super pose, awesome colours.
And thank you for your visit,
Janice

This little bird looks so happy ruffling up his feathers like this, kind of like when you stretch in the morning, it feels so good even if it hurts. The first time I saw one of these many colored birds was one of Netfalls also, I thought someone had painted its feathers or something they are so colorful, well done, TFS.

Hi Callie,
Wonderful to see another superb shot from your camera. I wish you would not take such long breaks, but I understand. I think you have captured every bit of the colors and detail possible in this Roller.
Beautiful shot with the rain drops. Well done!
Scott

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2006-06-14 1:30]

This picture is nothing short of amazing. What a wonderful job you did!

Jane

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2006-06-14 2:58]

Hi Callie,

A very nice shot of this colorfull bird,sharp and detailed composition and that on a rainy day,well done and seen,

Paul

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2006-06-14 3:22]

Hello again Callie,
A great capture of this colourful bird in the rain.Thanks to TN, I recognised this as a Lilac-breasted Roller right away.
A great POV and superb colours.
TFS

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2006-06-14 3:36]

This bird does look as though it is going through all kinds of contortions, Callie, and your capture does a great job of conveying that sense of action. The colors are just out of this world, a real palette from nature. A wonderfully composed scene, raindrops and all.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful shot with us, and for giving us inspiration and encouragement. : )
ManYee

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2006-06-14 3:47]

Hello Callie,
Excellent capture,i liked this unusual pose of bird a lot.POV,colors,clear eyes and composition are also wonderful.Enjoy your new lens,isn't it heavy for handheld shots?
TFS....:-)

Callie,

Awseome sharpness and colour you have captured under difficult circumstances. The POV, Lighting, Composition, DOF and BG are excellent. TFS,
Sheriff

Hello Callie,
It was no doubt worth posting! It's a lovely and very interesting shot. I like the POV and colours a lot. It's great that he looks at the camera and it's great to see the droplets of rain. It's a superb post, but a little bit sad because you're leaving again :-)
Hope you will stay in touch with TN!

Lovely shot Callie,
Very nice color, exposure, DOF, detail, and sharpness..Luv the raindrops fallin' through the frame, and this fluffed-up pose :)
Very well done mf!

Hi Callie, excllent colors, perfect details, BG, POV, DOF, great Job, TFS KYle

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 896 W: 101 N: 1501] (5166)
  • [2006-06-14 15:29]

what a stunning picture - the colours are so very rich and beautiful depite the rain (or maybe becuase of the rain). Such a bird woudl be very hard not to photograph.

TFS

Emma

Hi again, Callie,
wow, this bird is phantastic by inself, but in this pose with the drops - that's perfect.
Your archive is marvelous, thank you so much for sharing all the beautiful shots with us
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi Callie

Wow.... how I wish I could see one of these beautiful birds through my lens. What a wonderful treat that would be! Thank you for sharing this stunning bird. His colours are magnificent and this is accentuated by the outstanding quality of this image. :-)

  • Great 
  • tinman Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 242 W: 7 N: 458] (2663)
  • [2006-06-15 12:34]

Super post Callie - was on that road recently and also saw these beautiful birds once again, just not able to get the stunning pose and result you have. Well done

Wow, Callie, you snook that one in under my radar.. Wonderful capture of my little favourite SA birdie in all its gorgeous colours. Love the relaxed pose.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2006-08-09 7:31]

What a fantastic feather display! Clever to catch a moment like this. Excellent sharpness, colour and DOF.
Thanks, Ulla

Hi Callie,

Excellent capture,
I love the colours,
Perfect sharpness,bg,POV

Gr Thijs

Hallo aan u is Callie
Although die ik heb willen om commentaren aan deze foto geven vroeger, ik tegenkwam een probleem en kon niet krijgen om appreciatie aan een andere grote fotograaftalenten te geven. Ik heb sommige topclass foto's op de galerij! gezien, De mensen houden van Loot, Gerhardt, Annalise en Lourens enkel enkelen met inbegrip van zich te vermelden U mensen moet niet terug om het even welke proffesionalfotograaf op om het even welk gebied betekenen. Wat ik, het en gelezen heb gezien schijnt dat u allen trots in uw hobby vergt. Ik ben niet meer jong, en op mijn tijd één waardeer de fijnere dingen in het leven. Dat is één van de belangrijkste redenen waarom ik aan Trek Aard heb beslist te registreren. Om te zeggen dank u aan alle u mensen die speciale ogenblikken voor de toekomstige generatie vangen te zien zoals het is. Zo als mogelijk, zal ik niet oppurnity voorbijga laten om krediet aan het fotografen mooie werk te geven. Deze foto van lilac-Breasted Rol is adembenemend. Mooi, mooi en mooier! Rijke, warme kleuren. Het eigenlijk kijkt zo goed maar ook zo onwerkelijk. Alsof u aan bang om het te raken. Dit is uitstekend fotografie. Ik staar bij deze foto en ben verbaas in alles ik zie. Goed gevangen en wat een grote beloning. Zeer goed-gedaane... Dank voor het delen van uw talenten
Regards
Aaltjie

Picture is excellent, but ... what a bird!

from another friend of Omar

Nice job! sharp, very sharp and interestin position of the bird!!!

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF