One of the more elusive Honeyeaters in my neck of the woods. Mostly, they spend their time high up in the eucalyptus tree canopies feeding on nectar, only their high-pitched, pleasant whistles giving them away. I happened to be at a friend's property where these are common, as many others and nesting hawks in the spring, and I used a call to arouse their curiosity. I was given a five-second window as he came down to check me out. I was at the time, using a borrowed 500mm IS lens with my 1.4x and it was almost too large in the frame. LOL!
Anyway, just clipped the bottom of the tail, which I retouched in CS3. I think I can still do some more refining of the bottom right-hand corner, but for now, this is a rare, and hard to get image. Thus it will stay. You can hear its call here, but it is not quite how they call in my area. If anyone is interested, drop me an e-mail and I can send you a short burst of call.
30D, EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, ISO 800, 1/640Sec., F/6.3, Evaluative metering, Exposure Compensation 0, 430EX with beamer, which probably made not much difference being about 20 feet away. Cropped a little from top and left, but only just.
Great details and eye contact. I haven't seen this species before, thanks for showing! I might add a bit room at the top, would clone out the vertical bright stick on the bird's back and decrease the saturation of the reds a few points.
Nice one Akos,
As you said, you don't many decent shots of these fast moving canopy dwellers - this is a beauty. I particularly like the alert posture and feather detail.
Good job to get this close, they are usually way up high. Intersting pose and good plumage detail. Red can be difficult to get right - I'd try backing off the reds a tad.
I like this one since it sounds that is hard to get this guys close by. Colors and pose are very good. I only wish for a bit more of catch light, but as you mention, the bird was far away to get it. Don't forget that you can upload files with calls.
Scarlet Honeyeater (male)
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