Malachite Sunbird

Attachment 82606

Another image from Wakkerstroom. These guys normally have a long tail, not sure what happened to this one.

50D/EF500f4+1.4/f8@1/200/iso400/EC-0.33. Beanbag from vehicle about 90%FF removed some grass strands.

C&C most welcome.

Pretty colors on the bird and great to see a catchlight when you shot the back of the bird. The background is a bit busy for me but it may be where the bird lives. I really like the muted oranges on the flower at the top

Perhaps this bird took you by surprise, but I would have preferred you not having the TC on for more room for the comp and more of the flower visible. Although busy, I do like the BG. The head is angled away a bit, ideally the bird would have swung around the stem more but I still like the feeding behaviour depicted...and besides, you got a great view of the back here.

Love this image! Colors and sharpness of the bird are fantastic. Yes, there is a lot going on in the BG, but I feel the spiny petals in the BG add drama to the image. I do agree with Daniel, though, that having the entire flower in the image would have been preferable. But it's not that easy to remove the extender quickly when in the heat of the moment (I've been there...)

John

Sweet color on that bird. I would compose with the bird more to the left to give it a little room in front.

I also would have loved a bit more flower! This is excellent Pieter. Love the pose, irridescent plumage and the sharpness. Awesome work mate! :)

Thanks guys for your constructive comments. I was expecting a mixed bag re the background not to everybodies taste. Daniel I agree with yours and Johns comments re the composition and I tried to get a few vertical shots with the complete flower but this little guy moves around so quickly I failed to get a decent image.

Hi Pieter, lovely iridescence on the sunbird, and a typical feeding posture. Im not sure if a side on profile shot is ever possible with these guys are they are always on the move as you said. Believe it or not, I dont have a single image of any sunbird in my files. Must be visiting the wrong places.;)

Such a gorgeous bird and it really shows the environment that these birds use to get their food. Well done.

Pieter,

Beautiful bird nicely captured, the BG is perhaps a little unfortunate but entirely natural, Aloe leaves being where Aloe flowers come from.

Like Stuart I have no good shots of this bird but hope to rectify it next year, as I have just planted 40 Aloes and loads of Proteas in my garden.

Thanks Ken, Stuart and James. Hard to believe Stu considering all your posts. I find aloe groves in winter great venues for Sunbirds so your planting will do the trick Ken.:)