Oriental white eye - pair!!
A beautiful oriental white eye pair looking curious after the bath!!
A beautiful oriental white eye pair looking curious after the bath!!
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Feb, 2019Views
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Contest Finalist in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 21
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Behind The Lens
Location
Took this photo in which is referred to as the paradise of birds (Ganeshgudi, Dandeli). I visit this place every year to create great looking bird pictures.Time
It might be right after our lunch, we usually take a nap in the bird hide to try to preempt camera settings for the lighting conditions. Before I could close eyes, the sound of Oriental White Eye family made a grand entrance. A flock of birds (more than 10), hovering, fighting, diving into the water, and what not!! It was an eventful afternoon with these pretty yellow birds.Lighting
Sun was right on top of us and the humidity level was peaking up. It was 2:30 P.M when this family of birds arrived. The bigger ones took a quick bath and kept an eye for others (for a predator alert, especially Bay-backed Shrike). On the outset, the light was a bit harsh, but the coverage of leaves on the forest helped to get those vital shadows and highlights on the image.Equipment
This image was shot with Nikon D500 camera and Nikkor 600mm F4 lens. I had mounted the equipment on a Gitzo tripod with Gimbal head. When the birds arrived they perched on a left branch, that did not give me a right angle to shoot with a tripod setup. I unmounted the lens and used Lens Bean Bag to capture this image.Inspiration
Firstly, the location is known for its vivid range of birds migration. Oriental White Eye is a resident bird, which photographers do not capture most of the time. I never managed to get a sharp picture of this bird, a very busy bird. Only a few photographers were concentrating to capture them in flight, and for a very brief moment, this pair sat together (probably trying to have a conversation :-)). I ceased this moment and captured and this was the best picture I made during that bird watching.Editing
Cropped the image to an angle that could draw the attention of the viewer, curious looks and untethered feathers with the closer crop yielded to showcase the depth of field in the image. Subtracted few highlights and increased shadows to get the low-key feeling to the image. The darker (green) background and the yellow foreground matched beautifully. Removed digital noise and added a touch sharpness to bring the details back!!In my camera bag
The fastest camera Nikon D500 which as an exceptional autofocus capability even during dark hours is the first thing I pack. I never leave Nikkor 105mm F2.8 lens that works well for the sudden appearance of larger mammals during the morning walk. It's the smaller birds that migrate to this location so mighty Nikkor 600mm F4 lens gets into the trunk along with Gitzo tripod and a Gimbal ball head.Feedback
Birding is all about observation and be attentive in the forest. For a few months, just observe the birds don't click the picture. Record the routine of the bird or learn from forest guides or expert photographers. Try to get in early to the birding spot and settle yourself in a comfortable hide, carry everything you need, food, water, warm clothes, towels, and most importantly your equipment. Carry a camera body whose autofocus is quick, and the lens which has a larger F stop. Always use a tripod setup, do not shoot handheld, a slight movement will disturb birds. Initially, you will click more, when you click less that's when you will have good quality images. Always, watch out for a good natural background!!
