Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Gallery: AvianPosted May 17, 201195 views11 comments

Saw this flash of green in the dense undergrowth surrounding a fallen tree. The next instant, he flew straight at me, caught a butterfly right above my head and went back to this perch. The clinical dismemberment of the butterfly that ensued was a pleasure to witness

The dappled light made it difficult. Although i have better snaps of him butchering the butterfly, this one seemed to be relatively better lit.

Nikon D5000.70-300 VR @ 300mm,f8,1/250, iso 400. I tried to selectively sharpen the bird, let me know if it looks ok.

Corcovado Natl Park, Costa Rica

Anand

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 17, 2011 at 8:18 PM

Nice handling of the light, Anand. Interesting pose and the iridescent plumage really comes through.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 17, 2011 at 8:42 PM

Looks good to me. Love that long bill and the colors of the bird. Might try and tone down the bright spots in the background

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on May 17, 2011 at 10:11 PM

Terrific bird, and the composition is first rate. Does look like awfully tough light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 17, 2011 at 11:57 PM

Glorious study in green! I might try sharpening the bird a little more, the tail in particular.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 18, 2011 at 7:54 AM

A real study in green Anand - really like the setting of this as well as the detail

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 18, 2011 at 9:03 AM

Interesting behavior Anand and I like the iridescence and head turn. Challenging lighting with the dappled light on the bird and the very bright area in front.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on May 18, 2011 at 10:20 AM

Nice capture, Anand. In answer to your question about sharpening, I'd probably work on it a bit more, and also work on the lighting a bit more. Beautiful colors.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on May 18, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Very nice capture Ananad.

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 18, 2011 at 1:16 PM

I have never heard of this bird and what a colorful bird it is, good job getting this in difficult lighting, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on May 18, 2011 at 2:08 PM

That's one flashy bird, and a good story behind the image. The comp is good, I like the parallel lines of the beak and branch, although you might try lightening the shadow over the eye and on the underbelly.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on May 18, 2011 at 11:31 PM

Very cool capture and moment for you. Lighting is a bit difficultbut still a neat shot

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