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Thread: Superb Starling

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Superb Starling

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    No idea why the last posting of this subject went 'pear shaped' so fingers crossed this doesn't.

    Captured just after our breakfast in the Mara. The flock were all chattering away in the acacia tree waiting for us to shake the blankets that we had breakfast on for all the crumbs. As soon as we did so, they all flew down and scrambled for every last morsel. Having several in view was just messy, so I just waited until I had one standing on the track.

    Thanks to those who posted or viewed the previous posting.

    Steve

    Subject: Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus)
    Location: Masai Mara
    Camera: Canon EOS R5
    Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM HH
    Exposure: 1/1600s at f/8 ISO1250 EV +1 Auto ISO
    Original format: Landscape, very small crop
    Processed via: LRC 12.4 & PS '23 24.6.0
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  2. #2
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dear Steve,

    This is one interesting looking bird, we have a number of starlings here in SA but none of them so glamorous looking Here at home we have a couple of red winged starlings nesting on top of a floodlight ... and all efforts to 'evict' them have proven unfruitful...they just love the spot and keep coming back, persistent little chaps!

    The pose you captured is consistent with the stance typical of the species: they are confident, inquisitive and bold creatures, and at times aggressive. Frame is well exposed with lovely detail in the blacks, blues and browns. Well composed, good sharpness and BG looks great. IQ is great.

    I enjoyed viewing, thinking I should pay more attention to those avian species I see around the house...and take more photographs Thank you so much for sharing!

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Steve:

    The starlings in my area are seriously boring to look at, just a bit of iridescense on the head, otherwise all black. So, this guy is a real upgrade visually! Agree with Gabriela re: the techs. I might consider removing the OOF grass overlapping his right leg.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Composition, colours and details are excellent. It's a long time since I have been to Africa but I do recall the stance that Gabriela referred to. Super shot.

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    BPN Member Dorian Anderson's Avatar
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    Not usually a fan of head on poses where the tail isn't visible, but I think this works well with the curious held tilt; it's very engaging! The light eye sucks the viewer right in. Colors and details look great. I'd be tempted to evict/clone/minimize the grass over the bird's right leg, but that's pretty minor. I'll be in Kenya (Mara included) for the first time at the end of the month.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Folks I will respond Thursday as I’m shooting today/tomorrow full on with ditto sleep and two trips of 180miles return!!!!

    Dorian, get all your CV and jabs paperwork in order as that’s what the check first, go through any of the eight gates for immigration, I went through WHO/Diplomatic it doesn’t matter. Remember you can’t off road, and the guides will pay a hefty penalty and your $$$ piggy bank will be plundered if caught. Pack an extension cable block, you can then charge cameras batteries, laptop, touch etc and back up to two Ext HD.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  7. #7
    BPN Member Dorian Anderson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Folks I will respond Thursday as I’m shooting today/tomorrow full on with ditto sleep and two trips of 180miles return!!!!

    Dorian, get all your CV and jabs paperwork in order as that’s what the check first, go through any of the eight gates for immigration, I went through WHO/Diplomatic it doesn’t matter. Remember you can’t off road, and the guides will pay a hefty penalty and your $$$ piggy bank will be plundered if caught. Pack an extension cable block, you can then charge cameras batteries, laptop, touch etc and back up to two Ext HD.
    We'll have a local guide ad driver with us, so I'm hoping they'll know and obey the rules. Kenya, like most other countries, has relaxed it's COVID policy. Travelers no longer need negative tests or proof of vaccination. But please let me know if there's something I'm missing. Cheers!

  8. #8
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Kenya did in January, so they could well have relaxed the requirements for entry. Malaria seems low, but I still took Malarone as Malaria is I really don’t want to catch. Foods good, but only drink bottled or filtered water at camps, however cold bottles of Tusker are good to rehydrate.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Great low angle, beautiful colours (almost metallic in spots), and gotta love that head tilt! The image as a whole works quite well.

  10. #10
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Thank you Dan.

    The image as a whole works quite well.
    Would appreciate any suggestions on how I could improve the image Dan.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. #11
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Not much to suggest Steve, as I like it as is.

  12. #12
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Not much to suggest Steve, as I like it as is.
    OK, I was hoping I might glean a little nugget.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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