European Roller

[Chris van Rooyen]

We are fortunate to have these lovely birds as summer migrants to Africa. I captured this image in the Kruger National Park earlier this year. I would have preferred a better wing position.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:02:08 16:36:58
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 200mm

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the details, eye contact and BG. The snack adds to it. Did you photograph him near his nest? It looks like a landing pose. Maybe a bit more room at the top?

[Aristotle Georgiou]

Excellent capture, love the eye contact, pose and prey.

[Doug Brown]

In spite of the wing position, it's a nice capture Chris. Eye contact is great and the meal adds a lot to the photo. Only 200mm too! I would add a little canvas up top. Thanks for posting!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments guys. No Axel, they don't breed here - I waited for him to glide down from his perch to catch prey and fortunately he returned to the same perch:)

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp with wonderful color and bug. Agree that the wings swept back position would have been much better as the near wing would have been evenly lit.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Awesome timing to capture this one Chris and your patience payed off. Congratulations !! Beautiful lighting and color and agree an open back wing would have been nice but love it as is.

[Alroy Willis]

Excellent shot Chris. Great light , comp and BG. Bug in the beak a bonus