Smooth-billed Ani

Gallery: AvianPosted February 19, 201060 views12 comments

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

There were several of these birds perched on trees in what appeared to be an open field next to a forest in Cuba. As I approached I realized that there was a concealed 50 foot deep chasm between me and them! So, this is as close as I could get! (The moral of the story is to keep an eye on the ground as well as the trees….).

The large bill, the peculiar plumage on the neck and the impressive feet are quite well shown in this image.

All comments very welcome.

EOS 7D, EF 400mm f/5.6, 580 EX II: ISO 640, 1/500 s, f/9.0, fill flash, image is 2354 x 3046 pixels (=7.2 MP or 40% of the 18 MP of the 7D).

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 19, 2010 at 9:08 PM

Nice detail in the blacks-kind of a basket weave pattern. Glad you didn't fall in.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 19, 2010 at 10:01 PM

good exposure on a funky-looking bird!

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 20, 2010 at 4:56 AM

Nice detail and setting Steve

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 20, 2010 at 7:16 AM

I really like this Steve. The upfront branches really do not distract and the BG habitat is blurred just enough to let the Ani stand out. I love the great look at the bird. These a neat birds IMO and you caught this one in a great pose and location.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 20, 2010 at 10:55 AM

A very nice shot of this Smooth-billed, Steve. You've got all of the field marks, excellent detail in the throat and nice techs. Fine work.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 20, 2010 at 4:32 PM

really nice, Steve. I like the setting a lot. The breast plumage is very interesting. The face and bill look nice and sharp. I like this a lot, as is.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen on February 20, 2010 at 6:23 PM

I have the opportunity to the see the groove billed variety in Texas. I love how you captured a good look at the tail and beak. Well done.

Registered on November 11, 2007, 42 Posts, 803 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 20, 2010 at 10:14 PM

Glad you didn't fall in the chasm (what's a chasm?) LOL. Love your comp and dof.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 21, 2010 at 9:08 AM

Steve,

You handled the exposure of the Ani wonderfully, love all the details showing in the chest area in particular. I like the great pose, how well it shows the bill, and I find the setting very appealing. Very nice work!

Glad you didn't fall in!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 21, 2010 at 4:14 PM

David,
I think the detail, colors and texture are very well capture. I like the facial expression too.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 21, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Lovely detail in the blacks on this shot Steve

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 23, 2010 at 12:31 AM

Thank you all for your comments. I'm glad you like the image. Also, I'm also glad I didn't fall in!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments