Burst of color

Gallery: AvianPosted August 26, 2011316 views11 comments

Here is arguably one of the most colorful birds on the African continent, the Lilac Breasted Roller. This one I shot while on a trip to the Kruger National Park last week in the late afternoon sun just as it came and perched on a nearby river rock.

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shooting Date/Time 08/19/11 15:56:17
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/2500
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 200
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Focal Length 500.0mm

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 26, 2011 at 10:55 AM

I'd say that's a pretty good argument, Neal. Great job on getting the colors without over-saturation. Nice bg as well.

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

Comment posted by Darren Colello on August 26, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Easily one of my favourite species. Thanks for sharing this absolute beauty. Superb and stunning.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 26, 2011 at 7:51 PM

Exquisit bird, set off well with this BG.
He's pretty centered, so I'd like to see lots more room in front and less in back, to move him well to the left.
Really nice catch!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 26, 2011 at 7:57 PM

Yes, one of the most colorful birds I have seen. I agree with the composition suggestion made by Sandy. Love the overall comp with dark rock and brown tone BG. Bird is nice and sharp.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 26, 2011 at 9:47 PM

Gorgeous example of this species in great light. I think you did about as well as you can with the comp, if you cropped any more from the left you would have cut off his tail (which is easy to miss part of without close inspection). I could see a touch more room in front. Sweet shot Neal

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on August 27, 2011 at 9:50 AM

Great capture of an amazing bird. I have seen a few photos of this bird before but this is the most vivid color I have seen yet. Great sharpness and detail in the feathers. The great light really made the colors pop big time!

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on August 27, 2011 at 3:22 PM

Neal this is as you say a very colourful and must have been difficult for you to get right but it sure looks like you have been very successful,lovely image.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 27, 2011 at 4:05 PM

Neal, this has to be arguably one of the most colorful birds in the world I would say! Love the colors and exposure on this. Nice work!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on August 27, 2011 at 9:11 PM

Amazing bird. Lovely detail in the larger version. Extra room on the right would be a plus.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on August 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM

Excellent image of a gorgeous bird.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on September 1, 2011 at 7:34 PM

Now that is one colourful bird! He has a very cute pose here with one of his legs in front of the other. Sure would be cool if there was a bird like this somewhere near me! I think that I agree that he should be positioned a little more to the left, but other than that a great image!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments