Carmine Bee-eater

[Chris van Rooyen]

Another image from the series of bee-eaters that I got last year on the Zambezi River in Zambia. The dark background is the water of the Zambezi river - they excavate holes on the river bank where they roost and breed during summer months. Catching them in flight is pretty tricky, but persistence paid off:) All comments welcome and thanks for looking.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This is excellent, Chris! Great light, details, banking pose, eye contact and BG. Could you post some techs?

[Grace Scalzo]

Stunning....there is nothing about this that I do not like. Congrats.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Nice looking bird with great details and colors!

[Doug Brown]

Very nice Chris! Wouldn't change a thing.

[Loukie Viljoen]

Very nice Chris, I like the eye contact + highlight, Regards Loukie

[Dave Phillips]

a sweet beautiful image Chris and much appreciate the narrative.
May be a bit tight for a wallhanger, but a stunning photo for sure

[Gus Cobos]

Great capture Chris,
Love the banking position. The details are fantastic. razor sharp with rich vibrant colors...:cool:

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys! Sorry forgot the technicals, here they are:

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2007:10:13 16:38:30
Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 500mm

[Doug Brown]

Chris, do you shoot BIF handheld or off a tripod?

[Haim Ziv]

WOW!! this is amazing picture. Very well done.

[Harold Davis]

WOW!!! that's all i can say!!

[Fabs Forns]

This is to die for, Top banking showing off those colors, totally spread tail, eye contact, catch light, decent head angle, clean background and light to die for, what else is there to ask for?????

[Kaushik Balakumar]

flight shots of these small birds is especially tricky & u've one off really well. Congrats on this. its beautiful with full of details. well 'frozen' action...

[Glenn Bartley]

Just stunning! Amazing colors set off perfectly by that blue BG. Way to go!

[Raul Quinones]

Awesome picture and bird, not much to add... Thank for sharing!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks again guys:-) Doug, when I use my 500/4, I use it on a Manfrotto 055CL tripod with a Manfrotto 501 video head. My 300/4 and 70-200/4 I hand-hold.

[Juan Aragonés]

The banking pose is terrific Chris. Outstanf¡ding light and very nice BG. This image is a real pleasure for the eyes.

[Larry Daniel]

Excellent, in all ways.

[Jay Tan]

Superb light on such a beautiful colorful subject. The top view is excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[Johnny Bravo]

Wow, what a bird, what a shot!! You've raised the bar again!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Gorgeous !!!! Outstanding flight image.