Masked Weaver

[Chris van Rooyen]

I worked very hard to get this image. Fortunately the little guy was very productive and afforded me many opportunities to practice. Eventually I got this image by pre-focusing on the nest and waiting for him to come flying in with nest material. I then just kept the shutter in and hoped for the best. Eventually I got one or two sharp (out of hundreds:D)

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:09:30 07:48:12
Shutter speed: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 1000
Focal length: 500mm

[Ramon M. Casares]

The effort was well paid, the light is killer, I love the BG, the pose is great, the sharpness is terrific, the only nit to me is the cliped nest and the comp as I would try to leave more room to the right, but for what you had to deal with this is an outstanding shot! Congratulaitons Chris!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Well worth the effort! Great capture, light, wing position and the nesting material adds to it. I'm wondering if it would be even better with the entire nest in the frame. Do you have more room at the top?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys:-) Alex, no unfortunately I do not have more room at the top. Just getting the guy in the frame was difficult enough:-)

[Ted Willcox]

A little less room on the left and a little more on the right. Great image. A few hundred isn't to many, don't you just love digital!
Yours in Wildness
Ted

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Chris,

The light and colors are outstanding. The bird pose is very nice. The bit of nesting material in it's beak puts this over the top for me. I think it is great as presented. Do you ever take a bad picture? :)

Thanks for sharing!

Regards,

Phil

[Linda Robbins]

Your perseverance certainly paid off in this killer image. Spectacular pose and amazing detail. I love everything about it.

[Doug Brown]

Super shot Chris! I love it when you preconceive a shot and then make it happen through hard work and perseverance. Great behavior captured!

[Maxis Gamez]

This is wild. Love everthing about it!

Good work!

[Grace Scalzo]

A real cracker jack image! Love it as you posted it. This had to be real difficult and you did a great job.

[susanschermer]

Man, some of you guys just kill me....species I'll never see, patience I'll never have. Fantastic image. Congratulations on your perserverence.

[Mark Schmitt]

I think it's all been said. Just add my vote for excellent image.

[Fernando Cerra]

I love the colors.

What you do with your camera is incredible.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Indeed it is nice when a plan comes together (to quote a famous colonel:-) Bad pictures? Plenty, plenty, i just don't post them!

[Simon Bennett]

Interestong perspective and very sharp, I like the background too.

[Juan Aragonés]

Very good job Chris and another terrific image to your outstanding portfolio!