Brownhooded Parrot and a Sweet Pod

[Gabriela Plesea]

Spotted this Brownhooded Parrot up in a tree last month while busy loading my equipment in the vehicle. Happily munching on this cookie-like pod, he was so preoccupied with his food he did not pay much attention to me. I was surprised and also delighted, these birds shy away from humans and are very fast flyers. Even though we often had a glimpse of them at Shimuweni Camp in the Kruger, we did not have many chances to photograph them. They are social and gregarious and quite beautiful.

I did quite a bit of "gardening" to achieve this clean BG but otherwise very simple PP work and tried to keep colours as natural as possible.

Nikon D4
Nikon 500 F4
ISO 500
F8
1/1000s
Hand held

Not the best POV but an interesting behavioural frame IMO. I am just happy to have a representative of this species in my folders.

Thank you so much for taking the time to view, I really appreciate it.

Kind regards,

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hi Gabriela, what a sweet species! Excellent colours and superb details. That really does look like a cookie! I had to make a double take on what looks like the leg protruding way up high on the chest! A bit steep, but from I can tell from your description this is a tough species to get good images of...sometimes you just take what is available.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Gabriela, lovely capture and although the angle is steep, I don't mind it, as from your description it was hard to access. Nice PP and your gardening has worked and provided a cool portrait of this subject.

Personally I would have gone to 800 for more SS, keep it high.

TFS
Steve

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice image, it does appear like it is eating a cookie. Lovely parrot, interesting behavior captured. Thank you for sharing, Gabriela.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you dear Daniel, Steve and Joseph:)

I would have not shared this image if it wasn't for the content, LOL. The Parrot was almost above my head, just landed, pod in "hand". Been shooting as he was perched on another branch for some time (in perfect lighting conditions), then as he flew to this new spot the SS dropped. Needed both hands to hold those 7kg so decided to take a chance. More ISO and consequently better SS a few frames later, but the "cookie" was already gone so not so interesting...

Just thinking...I have fought against AUTO ISO for two years now but missed some awesome opportunities because the subject flew/ran from light to shade... I still don't like it but I might use it from time to time, when appropriate.

I really appreciate your suggestions and comments, thank you so much

Warmest regards,

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Nice to see its "left handed" just like its cousins Down Under! Great shot of an elusive little character.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you Gehrard!

Never realised these guys were left-handed, LOL.

I really appreciate your comments and time to view

Kind regards,