Cuckoo Bird

Gallery: AvianPosted August 7, 2012200 views12 comments

I've had the pleasure of a male/female pair visiting our waterhole nearly everyday now. They've been hunting the smaller frogs, sometimes working together to get them out in the open..

F/6.3, 1/2500th, ISO 640, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext around 10:30am with the light from mostly behind.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 7, 2012 at 8:37 AM

This is the closest shot I have of the Cuckoo bird eating a frog. I wish it would've turned more my way..But you can see the "Rip & Tear" action fairly well at this size..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 7, 2012 at 11:07 AM

Very cool, Howard. A trifle crowded in the frame-I'm guessing this is full frame? Maybe a little highlight-shadow work to bring out the dark tail a trifle more? The larger version is very impressive.

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

Comment posted by Verdon on August 7, 2012 at 11:39 AM

Wow!!!! What a great shots , that's my new project never had a chance to photograph that beauty

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 7, 2012 at 11:40 AM

Very unusual pose - I've never seen a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in such a pose.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on August 7, 2012 at 4:55 PM

Very cool find and impressive capture. Perfect timing, the bird has just left the perch. Love the light on the wings.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 7, 2012 at 6:53 PM

Great pose.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 7, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Love the pose!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 8, 2012 at 4:07 AM

A very unusual looking bird photo, which makes it really interesting to study. Cool feeding behavior you describe too.

Sweet One Howard!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 8, 2012 at 2:44 PM

Wonderful timing to get this take off pose, I like how the wings and tail feathers are spread out, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Toya Heatley on August 8, 2012 at 5:33 PM

Great action shot, well done!

Registered on June 13, 2012, 36 Posts, 98 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Kane on August 8, 2012 at 6:26 PM

"lights-camera-action" Right as it takes-off, you've captured the moment perfectly Howard

Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on August 8, 2012 at 10:17 PM

Both tremendous shots, Howard. The first one is more pictorial, the second a better Nature story. I love the pose in the first as well as the excellent color & feather detail. Possibly a little more room at the top if you have it. Great work!

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments