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Callie, you may laugh


Callie, you may laugh
Photo Information
Copyright: Willie Miles (willie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-12-10
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony PDX10
Exposure: f/3.4
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Just Missed Shots. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-20 14:04
Viewed: 7030
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Callie suggests we post some of our near misses. I have plenty of them and can gladly say, they have made me more determined to do better next time.
So this one is for you Callie.

Taken in the Polokwane Nature Reserve.
I took this shot of these two fine impala rams and when I downloaded it, I noticed in the top right hand corner, there was a Lilac breasted Roller that decided to fly past at that exact time. Now would that not have been a good shot had I had the correct shutter speed. Problem was, the roller was a blurr.

Shooting Details
Original Photo 1152 x 864
Cropped and resized for web
Camera - Sony DSR-PDX10P
No Flash
Tripod Yes
F/Length 43mm
F Number F/3.4
Exposure Time 1/425sec

Photo not altered in any way. Only framed and resized for web

Lilac Breasted Roller ( Callies Notes )
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata , - 32-36 cm, a resident of the drier parts of SA, especially acacia veld. Rollers are colourful, predominantly blue & purple in colour. They are conspicuous, stocky, perching birds with elaborate & noisy aerial display flights, from which their name is derived. There are only 12 species worldwide, 8 off from Africa. 5 types are found in SA, 3 off being summer visitors. They are noisy, like in having a harsh voice. Being insectivorous, they also eat lizards, small mice & anything nice they may catch. They are perch hunters, sitting on a high branch, watching for pray. Once they spy the prey, they fly down to the ground where they catch it & then return to the same perch. Because they are so intent on catching & securing the meal, they are sometimes killed by passing cars. As far as colour is concerned, the feathers look different in different lighting conditions. Rollers are easier to photograph than starlings colour-wise, but not as easy to approach. Hope you like this one, another dream-shot come true.

Impala ( Ben Broughtons notes )
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) Rooibok.

The Impala is a athletically built antelope. (Shoulder height 86 - 90cm). Reddish brown with a white belly and black bands on tail and buttocks. Patches of black hair above ankles. The females do not have horns.

Habitat: Open woodland, thorn- and mopaneveld. They are dependent on water.

Habits: Form herds of 6 - 20 and occasionally much larger. Batchelor and breeding herds can be distinguished.

Food: Leaves and grass. Drink water daily if available.

Distribution: North and North-eastern parts of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.
Callie, Janice, ellis49, JeanMichel, Luc, marhowie, red45, carper, gerhardt, miqra has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
  • [2005-01-20 14:12]

Hi Willie
This is the stuff our wishlists are made of - now, if only . . .! Also a nice, in the environment shot with these two rams. Can't wait that you get the DSRL.

I like it Willie.
I agree with Callie, can't wait that you get a REAL camera.;-)
Nice post

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2005-01-20 14:35]

Good miss Willie. If I was to post my near misses, I'd have to post 10 a day for the next year! Good one though:)

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-01-20 15:30]

A beautiful setting with these two rams. If only that bird was right eh? Excelent post, Willie.

Mike

At least, Willie, two out of three. Not a bad average :-). Of course, the Roller looks like a blurred rocket, but the two Impalas are nicely catched, looking quietly at you. A decent camera to go with your expertise, next step Willie?

Neat shot Wille! A bird in the hand..well, you know. ;-) Hey, this bird was traveling at light speed right!! TFS!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2005-01-21 3:58]

Good one for Callie's category Willie :-) Still I like it. And even more I like blurred Roller than 'static' Impalas :-) Don't blame this fast bird - everyone want to be a star :-)

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-01-21 10:18]

I like it, Willie.
If we do nothing, nothing happens! And here you caught an UFO. Not so bad!
Thanks

I like this shot, it gives a good movment.
You'll do great with a real cam.
Next time ask the bird to wait for you to change settings :-)

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582] (8439)
  • [2005-01-21 13:58]

Hahahaha, very nice Willie,
And it not realy bad, okee the bird is flying in the photo, but farther the photo is nice, not the best, but nice enough, very good note too, I like it

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2005-01-22 14:12]

Willie, great theme, and I will often be on it.

Your picture is funny, and I don't think it's a bad one - I myself have hundreds of worse missed shots.

Best regards.

Lívio

I am only catching on to this "missed" theme today. I "missed out" during the week, :)

Nice Impala rams and a UFO. ;) I could a crab spider with this type of luck and the photo was not that bad. Needless to say... I have much more like these.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-23 16:04]

Excellent near miss Willie :) I wonder how many times you said "If only"

Very well done (the impalas are great) and thanks for posting.

I would like to make a good photo the same as you made a photo calling "near misses" :-))))
I love watching animals living in his natural environment... You are living in a wonderful region!

  • Great 
  • miqra Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 140 W: 3 N: 23] (151)
  • [2005-01-28 9:49]

Oooohhhh what a pity...but there will be a next time, there always is....(smile)
Excellent shot of impala though, well done!

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-01-28 22:06]

That's funny picture with the running bird !!! i like this great moment Willie you did a spectacular one, nice color & light.

My regards,

Christian

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