alcedo

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Bulgaria

Bulgaria
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Jul, 2015

Views

194

Likes

+18

Awards

Summer 2020

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Magnificent Capture

Peer Award

Superior Skill

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken from a mobile hide in Northern Bulgaria.

Time

I put my hide at noon, and sit inside. Time was running and the light was getting better and better, I put the camera on MF and plug my cable remote. I use AF conformation to adjust the focus on the branch, and when the birds started to land on the perch I just had to press the button in the right moment. And here is one of my favorite shots from that session.

Lighting

I wait the sun to get lower and light became soft and draw the colorful plumage of the bee-eaters.

Equipment

I use my Canon EOS 7D on a tripod, with my 300 mm f2.8L IS USM and 1,4x TC and cable remote.

Inspiration

I was inspired from childhood from this magnificent birds with their rainbow plumage, my first memories were from my grandparents village called Mechka (Bear in Bulgarian), on the hill over their house there was small wall where people were digging clay. The Bee-eaters were nesting in small cavities digged in the clay. Me and my sister Kate were going there and watch them since I was 5 years old. So taking a photos of them was in one way my childhood dream.

Editing

I usually make some corrections of the clarity, contrast and reducing the color noise (very often obvious in 7D) and small crop to adjust the composition.

In my camera bag

I used to bring with me only my 7D and my 300mm f2,8 with both extenders, and wide angle EF 17-40mm f4L USM for landscape photos. But on trips abroad I always bring second body 40D or 5D, so I don't have to change lenses.

Feedback

Using manual focus and remote is a must wanting to capture such action shots when you know where the object will touch down. The use of mobile hide is not recommended, because of disturbance of the breeding birds, so make sure if you getting close to a nest collony to start before sunrise and exit only when the sun sets behind the scene. Respect the Nature.

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alcedo

alcedo

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Bulgaria

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow alcedo

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