Black Naped Monarch

[Vivek Kale]

Hypothysmis azurea (black naped monarch male 16 cm)
Image made by me in evergreen forest in western ghats in India.

It is a shy forest bird, and was photographed while it appeared for a splash bath, at bush near waterhole on hot summer afternoon.

The bird has lovely dark black cap on the head, and the balck nape

Canon 350 D +100-400 l IS, iso 400, 1/100 sec, -2/3 EC, f5.6, at 400 mm, handheld, no flash.

Cheers !

Vivek
India

[Morkel Erasmus]

lovely bird. I wish the angle of viewing was higher and I think it needs a touch more sharpening. Welcome to BPN!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Big welcome and beautiful species. Love the eye contact and excellent detail. I know photographing in then rain forrest is a challenge and especially to get a clear view. The BG is a tad busy but you did well to get this bird out in the open. Many thanks for sharing and will look forward to your future posts Vivek.

[Harshad Barve]

Vivek Sir :D
getting this buddy in open is like winning 80% of battle , Nice pose , techs looks good , wish for better shooting angle but I will taken this at any angle
TFS and looking forward to see more from you

[Stu Bowie]

Lovely blues on the little guy, and I like the tilted pose. Looks like the focus was on the end of the wing. I feel selectively sharpening the head will work.

[Doug Brown]

What a lovely bird with a nice alert pose. Another vote for selective sharpening of the head. A cleaner perch would have been nice, but that's what keeps us coming back for more. :)

[Simon Bennett]

Gorgeous bird well captured.