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The wonderful and interesting Chestnut-Eared Aracari is just a vibrant mass of color

The wonderful and interesting Chestnut-Eared Aracari is just a vibrant mass of color
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Contest Finalist in Colorful Birds Photo Contest
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9 Comments | Report
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots November 10, 2015
Great capture! Congrats.
leighlofgren
leighlofgren November 11, 2015
thanks so much JDLifeshots - I am thrilled
ianmoore_7035
 
ianmoore_7035 November 13, 2015
beautiful shot
nandicmb
 
nandicmb November 17, 2015
Congratulations on your Contest FInalist win in Colourful Birds Photo Contest!
MariMargutti
 
MariMargutti November 27, 2015
Beautiful!!
gingasnaps
 
gingasnaps December 03, 2015
amazing colours
leighlofgren
 
leighlofgren December 07, 2015
Thank you all for your comments, awards and likes.....so much appreciated.
TCXHAPA
 
TCXHAPA December 11, 2015
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
TCXHAPA
 
TCXHAPA December 11, 2015
Great one!
CURUTCHET
 
CURUTCHET July 24, 2016
GREAT JOB
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Behind The Lens

Location

We had one full day and night left of our photographic trip to the Mato Grosso area of the Pantanal in Brazil and between the walkway from the rooms to the main house, there were trees in which these beautiful birds would feed.

Time

It was between 2.30 and 3pm at the final stop before we left to return to the US. I set up the tripod and camera waiting to see if they would come in to visit. Some food (bananas & other fruit) had been left among the trees and about an hour or so of waiting, this one turned up. Finally managed to get a clear shot of him, although moving around was difficult, as these birds are very shy and any movement or if you get too close, off they go.

Lighting

It was sunny and the light dappled in and our of the trees.....as anyone who photographs wildlife, birds and more, you know it's more of a waiting game and waiting for the right moment. This shot happened at the right time, right light, right branch and I love the greens and yellows blurred behind his brilliant colors.

Equipment

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 extender. No flash and Manfrotto tripod (which has since been replaced!)

Inspiration

I have always loved nature, wildlife and all else and this was my first ever photographic 'safari' to the Pantanal. It was mainly for the jaguars and I knew we would be seeing birds, but had no idea that they would be so stunning and amazing to see. This particular day was our last and of the 8 photographers, only one or two came out to catch these birds. I had set up the tripod the moment I had returned from going back to the ranch where we had originally stayed (as well as the flotel on the Cuiaba River) to see if I could get some more shots and I cannot sit still or do nothing when possibilities are around. I knew the birds would come in eventually and so glad I did, as it was a wonderful thing to see and by the time I had started taking shots, others had joined in.

Editing

I cropped the shot to remove the branch on the right side that had part of a banana on it and brought out the highlights a little.

In my camera bag

I carry a lot and on this particular trip, packed the Canon 5D Mark II and 5D Mark III camera bodies (I have since sold the Mark II and now have the Canon 1DX in it's place); Canon 500mm; 1.4 extender; Canon 580 Speedlight; Canon 14mm 1:2.8L II USM wide angle lens; Canon 24-70mm I:2.8 L USM; various filters; Graduated filters, Canon EF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 L IS USM lens; spare batteries for camera and flash, cleaning equipment; cards, portable drive; black/white cards to set my white balance and with that goes a tripod and monopod. My bag and equipment changes depending upon what I am doing and where I am going. When home and about, I usually have the Canon 1DX and the Canon EF100-400mm 4.5-5.6 L IS II USM lens. Now have the 100-400mm without extender and it is used quite a lot these days, especially on events.

Feedback

The one thing you need to have as a wildlife photographer or any type really, is patience. I also have in my mind an idea of what I want and the way I want to get a shot, which of course, doesn't always happen with wildlife, as you usually have to deal with location, time, light and all else. This shot was achieved with patience and luck and ensuring that I had the right camera settings and also with the freedom to move around to ensure where I hoped the bird would be. I also couldn't get too close and had to be very still, as the aracaris wouldn't come and they spook easily. In using the Canon 500mm lens with an extender, a tripod was essential and for most things, the tripod is necessary in order to ensure no camera shakes and being able to stay for a long period of time. I picked a spot on this tree, grabbed a chair and waited.....I am also in the habit of constantly checking an image each time the light changes - I will take a shot (without the bird in this case) and change settings as required in order to make sure that I get it right when the animal/bird or whatever you are shooting comes into your view and I am a basic beginner with Photoshop, so want it to be the best I can do.....then I wait and sometimes, magic happens!

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