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Batnap

Usually, all the bats in Vrelo cave (Matka canyon, Macedonia) will sleep someplace high up in the gloom, but this one decided to become known way outside the fa...
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Usually, all the bats in Vrelo cave (Matka canyon, Macedonia) will sleep someplace high up in the gloom, but this one decided to become known way outside the family circle - by hanging right there at eye height.
So... I'm making him famous... :)
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SP570UZ

Aperture f/4.5 ISO 100 Shutter 10/2500 Focal Length 9200/100

upload_date

Mar, 2015

Views

308

Likes

+41

Awards

People's Choice in All Things Up-Side-Down Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Magnificent Capture

Behind The Lens

Location

Photo was made in the cave "Vrelo" which is one very interesting spot in Matka Canyon near Skopje (Macedonia). The cave can be reached by boat (you can rent a ride, there are always several boats available). Cave is partly explorable on foot, but its largest part lies underwater. See http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/cave-vrelo.nspx for details. It is a place worth visiting if you happen to be in the vicinity.

Time

March 13th, 2010. Time was 13:40:08 which, lightwise, makes no diff for caving photos!

Lighting

The flash, fired automatically, has been the only light source here. I wish I've had a secondary flash unit, though, just to be able to use another light angle... but it was not available at a time.

Equipment

The shot was made out of hand, nothing special, and the built-in flash of Olympus SP570UZ fired automatically. Its Exif shows these elements: shutter 1/250sec, aperture f/4.5, ISO 100, EV 0.0, focal length 92mm...

Inspiration

You never know where the bats will be in any cave, so it is good to expect them anywhere. Usually these will be in the upper regions where there is dark and well out of the way of humans and other beings; such as cats, ferrets, or foxes. If you're observant, you may be able to locate them vertically above their telltale droppings, but you'd have to look for those specifically, for one thing, and so it helps to be a bit of a biologist. This one was in the spot very close to the usual path within the cave, and at my shoulder height. So it was quite impossibe not to see him right away. And the occasion to photograph an unusually close animal was inspiration enough; something no-one would miss!

Editing

The corrections with this one consisted of some cropping and contrast reducement, so as to reveal the finer tones and textures of the bat's fur, and also to subdue the harsh light reflected off the surrounding rock. That was all.

In my camera bag

I wear a photo vest instead of carrying the bag, since I find this simpler, less of a burden, and easier to use due to the organization of its many pockets. I will usually have two cameras. The second one is always some waterproof model, which I'll prefer in bad weather, or when there is some water where I wish to take a look under the surface. And this happens almost everywhere I go. Beside those, there will be spare batteries, some ND and CPL filters, a camera clamp (replacing a tripod), a length of paracord, a sturdy pocket knife (also usable with the camera clamp), a lighter, and perhaps a rain poncho in the large back pocket... I also tend to carry an action cam, of lately, because these are small, handy, and good for many things. There may also be a small water bottle and a sandwich or a bar of chocolate. With these things I can wander around for a day, and improvise whatever I need. A photo vest gives me both hands free, better distribution of weight, and if the weather suddenly changes, the poncho covers all that I carry in the most natural way.

Feedback

In photography, one should always expect the need for all possible focal lengths. There might be very interesting small things to shoot even if you're out looking for beautiful landscapes. Because of this, I prefer a superzooms and waterproof cameras. This gives me the widest possible range for whatever photo-worthy theme might appear - and we know these will sometimes appear quite without us expecting them. Thus, be interested, be ready for anything, and your number of keepers (shots worth keeping) will raise!

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Batnap

Usually, all the bats in Vrelo cave (Matka canyon, Macedonia) will sleep someplace high up in the gloom, but this one decided to become known way outside the fa... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow LookSee

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Usually, all the bats in Vrelo cave (Matka canyon, Macedonia) will sleep someplace high up in the gloom, but this one decided to become known way outside the fa...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.