Southern Carmine Bee-eaters

[Albert Froneman]

Hi All,

Thought that I would share some images from the southern tip of Africa on this exciting new site!

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shutter speed: 1/5000 sec
Aperture: 5
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1/3
ISO: 500
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM

All comments and crits welcome! :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Welcome, Albert! Great first post, the interaction is very cool and makes me wonder what was going on there. Would you know? No nits from me. I look forward to your posts here.

[Alfred Forns]

One impressive image Albert !!! Big Welcome

Two bee-eaters in flight ...... No nits from my end either!!! Big Congrats !!!

[D. Robert Franz]

Wow love the interaction and color. Amazing image for sure. A very interesting comp with strong diagonals..

[Del Cockroft]

Beautifully framed. Gorgeous colours. A very nice image, indeed.

[Albert Froneman]

Thanks for the kind comments folks! Axel - these bee-eaters were starting to establish nesting territories on the banks of the Zambezi River. Every now and then two (presumably) males would get into a bit of a squabble and engage in some sort of aerial combat!

It all happenes so quickly but I was lucky enough to capture a few frames. This behaviour continued to take place as I again observed the birds doing this when they were feeding chicks later in the season when I led another group there.

:)

[James Shadle]

OK we know this is an excellent image.
But why.
How could someone trying learn this craft know what is special about this image?
Well, I will tell you how I feel. Apart from all of the technical's (sharpness, exposure,color,contrast etc) being handled very well.
There are other elements I find compelling.
The quality of the light is outstanding, warm and soft.
The subject matter and the action involved is very interesting.
I like the placement in the frame, large but not cramped.
The beautiful birds are more or less parallel to the image plan.
The detail of the wings and the fact that both birds have their wings up and do not obscure their heads or cast unwanted shadows.
The eye contact they have with each other is icing on the cake

James

[Krijn Trimbos]

Nothing more to add, what an excellent photograph!

[Geurt Bloem]

Albert, all been said so I'll add a well done!!

[Glenn Bartley]

What a beautiful first post! No nits here......just cant wait to see more.

Welcome to BPN!

[Dave Courtenay]

Stunningly Vibrant image-beautiful

Dave

[Steve Foss]

OK we know this is an excellent image.
But why.
How could someone trying learn this craft know what is special about this image?
Well, I will tell you how I feel. Apart from all of the technical's (sharpness, exposure,color,contrast etc) being handled very well.
There are other elements I find compelling.
The quality of the light is outstanding, warm and soft.
The subject matter and the action involved is very interesting.
I like the placement in the frame, large but not cramped.
The beautiful birds are more or less parallel to the image plan.
The detail of the wings and the fact that both birds have their wings up and do not obscure their heads or cast unwanted shadows.
The eye contact they have with each other is icing on the cake

James

Exactly, and thanks, James. You can go to any other nature forum and get lots and lots of congrats or a short sentence or two with a nit or a piece of praise. It's the meaningful and substantive critiques gently given and promised in the promotion of this site that brought me here. It's a big corner to turn for any forum. We know that moderators work hard and long, usually for little or nothing, and it's not an easy thing to give a thorough evaluation as well as a gentle one. Keep up the good work!

[Marko Matesic]

You nailed this one :)

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely Albert. Always enjoy your images in Africa Birds & Birding.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Great timing and great colors!!!