Borneo: Oriental Darter

[Phil Liew]

This Juvenile Oriental Darter had some amazing ways of fishing. Its body is totally submerged except for his head just like the periscope of a submarine when swimming. When it dives for its meal it can be up to 2 minutes underwater!

Taken in Sepilok, Sabah in Malaysia it was a bonus on a hot afternoon. Ok, the branch on the left may be a distraction to some but it gives an insight to its habitat for me.

1D Mk3 + EF800mm + 1.4IIext 1/160s f/10.0 ISO400 EV -1/3
http://www.pbase.com/996sps/image/112832041.jpg

[Tony Whitehead]

Impressive catch for both of you, Phil. The white feathers look hot so may be worth reprocessing with some highlight recovery - may have just been pushed over the edge by sharpening for web.

[Juan Aragonés]

Phil, the branch can be a bit distracting but I do not mind. The light is a bit harsh but I like the timing and composition a lot :-)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good scene, I like it. I like how the tail is submerged in the water, and aslo that we can see the fish's face. I would have liked to see the darter placed more to the right of the frame and would clone out the debris peeking in the frame at left edge. I would also raise the colour temp as it seems a little "cool". I see a dark halo along the front of the neck, and wish for a better head angle. I like the water, and the vertical streaking in it.

[Phil Liew]

Thanks guys for your comments, I have reworked this one and hope it looks better.
Increased the white balance to make it warmer, repositioned the bird to the right and reduced the USM in the final presentation. I use Apple Aperture and at times finish it with Photoshop CS2.

http://www.pbase.com/image/112934294.jpg