Home Forums Gear Photography African smallish-bird...

Here's a series from Namibia of a smallish-bird that I haven't had a chance to ID yet....He/she didn't want to pose for me and this is all I got...Geez, I wish it flew my way...

Instead I only caught its behind...

Saw a lot of them when I was in South Africa. Forget the name but they are beautiful birds! TM

Yep, they are really beautiful!

Someone just mentioned that it is the Lilac-Breasted Roller...

I'm happy that at least I got a few photos of him...

Yes it is a lilac breasted roller...the national bird of botswana I believe. The racket tailed roller is similar but lacks the, you guessed it, lilac coloed breast.

beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing them.

M

Highly regarded little bird for tying Atlantic salmon patterns...

Thanks for taking the time to comment and to share all that fascinating info and details...real cool!

great picts could you post up your exif info

Thanks I appreciate it!

And EXIF are all embedded....

1/4000 wow nice i didnt see your iso do you rember what it was off hand

ISO 400 and f/6.3 and 1/4000 Shutter speed


It did FREEEZE the action for sure...

Hope this helps...btw I was shooting in Av mode and Center-Weighted Metering Mode and Ai Servo on Continuous Mode and I switched my [*] button for my shutter and the shutter button now only exposes when I "SQUEEZE" the trigger...

I hope this info might help you some...

Main thing is to have a whole lotta fun...

Here's another from the same day! I understand its an African Red Hornbill...and I've been messing with it in PP and I think its finally starting to come around...I'm on a different computer today and maybe you or someone else can advise me how it looks as all the computers in the house are uncalibrated...

It would be a big help!

Norwegian Blue, beautiful plumage

Thanks!

color looks good are they hand held too or mono pod what length mm heres one of mine its not as cool as yours

Thanks I appreciate the comment!

And in regards to your question...

All my shots are handheld as its difficult to find the time to set-up in most situations so I don't bring it along! I need to pack light and free as can be...

Being very new to photography I am forcing myself to learn good handheld techniques and skills from the on-set in order that I may never have to rely on a mono/tripod in case one isn't there...If I can't get the shot then I feel I don't deserve it...

However, when I move up to a 400mm or larger glass some day I will definitely carry either [-pod] or both for that matter as the big glass is heavier and gets tiresome over long periods...Also at those focal lengths the tiniest of vibrations will give you a soft image...So the rules of engagement for me changes when the big guns come out...

I don't use the pod for the 70-200mm f/4 IS in the field because I need to be mobile in the type of terrain I frequent and I really don't find that I need it in the situations I've encountered thus far...If I was shooting a "still" or something,... or something in a much more controlled environment the pod will most definitely come out no matter what lens I have on...

The rule I follow is...There is NO rule...

Do what needs to be done...

That 3rd picture is amazing

Thanks buddy! I appreciate that very much!!!

Hey btw are you still "guiding" anymore?

I remember when you PM'd me awhile back on my PAINTED STOCKS...the camo stuff I used to do!

Don't know if you remember as it was early in the year or late last year I believe!

Anyways just wanted to wish you well...Aloha Ro