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Batmen


Batmen
Photo Information
Copyright: Gabi Klemm (klemmg) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-06
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500 F/4-6.3 EX HSM, @ISO 1600
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/320 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-04 14:12
Viewed: 5259
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) emerging from Frio cave (near Uvalde) at sunset.

Spectacular emergences from large colonies of 10 mio+ bats from their cave have become tourist attractions in Texas. They consume tons of insects each night thereby contributing to agriculture. Fast fliers, they head up high in the sky to feed on flocks of migrating moths.

I used available light only, at ISO 1600, and shot in direction of the sun to get the translucent wings.
1/320s to motion-blurr most of them and get only a few bats that moved more slowly clear to provide visual anchor points.
A very small aperture (f/18) to get a maximum of motion-blurred animals in focus to bring across the frenzy of the emergence. Let me now if it worked ...

Enjoy!
Gabi
rousettus, marhowie, scottevers7, meyerd has marked this note useful
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To manyee: Long time no see indeedklemmg 1 09-06 14:06
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2007-09-04 14:36]

fantastic shot,give a idea of moving ....

Hi Gabi,
all bats are my big love, therefore I become a bat scientist:) When I saw this shot, I decided to write for critique. I cant see more capture of bats on TN. This is very nice and interesting image. Large colonies of Tadarida brasiliensis in America are very famous. I think these may be from one of them.
good notes. thanks a lot. best wishes. Ahmet

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2007-09-04 21:56]
  • [+]

Hello Gabi,
So nice to see a post from you. Long time no see!
This is quite an impressive shot.
Great visual impact with all these bats flying at you.
I have always wanted to witness one of those fly-outs or fly-ins.
Awesome.
TFS. : )

Hi Gabi,
Perhaps not a technical marvel, but what a wonderful flurry of action/movement!
Spectacular says it all..
If I was to call ya on it, I would've used a faster s-speed, and opened up that hole just a bit more ;}
Very nice post mf.
Howard

Hi Gabi,
Good to see you back! I have been off alot myself lately, but hope to get back regularly soon. This had to be an amazing sight to see in person. I think your settings portray the scene vey well. Some sharp to show detail, many blurred to show the freny of the massive groups motion. Very cool!
Scott

Liebe Gabi,
Du hast immer originelle Bilder, aber dieses hier schlägt Rekorde. Sehr interessant! Dass beim Ausflug noch genügend Licht war, ist aussergewöhnlich und dass Deine Kamera mit 1600 ISO ein Bild ohne Korn produziert auch. Die transparenten Flügel! Gut gemacht.
Beste Grüsse aus Marly,
Dieter

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