Lilac-breasted roller

[Chris van Rooyen]

The trick is to get these guys when they jump of the perch to catch an insect on the ground, because then they display there spectacular wings. Image captured in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Stopped down to f9 to get as much depth of field as possible. About 10% crop. All comments welcomed.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2007:09:09 15:14:50
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 9
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 500mm

[Daniel Cadieux]

Spectacular colors and patterns on this bird, however what I like best is the head angle vis-a-vis its body position - very cool!

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Nice looking bird,great flight shot!!!

[Svetoslav Spasov]

Well done Chris, excellent photo!

[Arthur Morris]

As the first American to comment on this one, all that I can say is please stop! You are killing us.

Later and love, artie

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This is excellent, Chris! Very often blue BGs don't add to the image, here it complements the plumage very well.

[Ian McHenry]

Fantastic capture Chris.
I would be interested to see it without the crop and slightly less saturation.
ian Mc

[Tony Whitehead]

Yet another "Wow!", Chris. Lovely intensity with that gaze. Next time just wait until the prey insect is in frame with a catchlight in it's eye too:D

[Steve Wheeler]

Beautiful bird and capture! Well done.

Steve

[Jody Melanson]

Make room on your couch, I'm hopping on a plane to South Africa! :D This rocks Chris! What a pose. Love the detail, colours, exposure, yada, yada, yada. Smashing!

[Harold Davis]

i'm on the plane with jody!! HOLY COW!!!! WOW! i have never seen anything like it. that's a BEAUTY.

[Fabs Forns]

You got some intense eye popper here!!!! I'm speechless !!!!!!

[John Cooper]

A superb flight capture Chris of this beautiful bird. The action, detail and colour impact are first class - great achievment!!!

[James Salywoda]

WOW!!! An incredible shot Chris the position of capture plus the eye contact is stunning. Such a beautiful bird species.

[Victor Soares]

As the first South African to comment on this image let me just say "Please don't stop":D;) This is awesome. I know just how tough it is to get these guys in flight like this and Chris you give us the inspiration to keep on trying. Maybe one day .... Awesome Chris !!:eek:

[Ian McHenry]

Hi Chris again.
As nobody else commented on saturation I decided that it must be my monitor settings,so have adjusted brightness and contrast to get best image.
Your picture really pops now.
Fantastic
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments guys, appreciated as always. I'll be the first to admit that luck played a role here;)

Guys, you are more than welcome to come to South Africa for bird photography:) Just let me know when you're arriving, we have many excellent bird photographers in this country that will take you around to some amazing destinations.

[Geurt Bloem]

Well done Chris, no nits.

[Alfred Forns]

Awesome image Chris !!!! I'm impressed !!!

[Simon Bennett]

Super image Chris.

[Lana Hays]

Chris
Well I can't say what my first thought was.....so I'll limit it to awesome. The sharp head and beautiful colors are amazing.