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Sign Language


Sign Language
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-20
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 120-300 F2.8
Exposure: f/5.8, 1/800 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Predaceous birds - Aves predadoras, African Raptors [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-20 15:30
Viewed: 5958
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ovambo Sparrowhawk) – Accipiter ovampensis – 33-40 cm, 67 cm wingspan. Of the 74 African Raptor species, 54 are found in SA. This is not counting the 19 African species of falcons and kestrels. Raptors belong to Accipitridae and include small to very large predatoty or scavenging birds. They are very aerial and the smaller species, hunt by dash-&-seize techniques. One of only two raptors with barring from the chin to the legs - pale grey above, white with finely barred pale grey bars from chin to belly and thighs. Black bill, orange cere and legs; F about 14% larger than M; M 105-190g, F 180-305 g.
What made this photograph special for me is that fact that I was able to nail him. I was sitting in the aviary this afternoon, when all the birds suddenly disappeared in a frenzy. I am used to this when aeroplanes fly over, which happened just then. But some starlings kept calling & then I saw this guy outside the aviary, looking for a tasty morsel. Luckily, he could not break in, so the denizens were safe, but he sat in a tree outside for some time. I shot him through the net that is over the aviary, maybe 50 pictures, & some are quite fine if one consider the distance he was away from me, & the fact that the shot was though netting. Taken @Krugersdorp Game Reserve; ISO 200 @ -0,7 EV; Nikon D70; Sigma 120-300 F2.8 lens & 2X converter @ Focal length 600 mm; 1/800 @ F5.6; Programme Mode; no flash, Pattern Metering Mode; Manfrotto Tripod and Wimberley head; Enough cropping; little USM & some Hue & saturation brightness; reduced to Site size. I posted the full picture as a WS. I love fat, fluffy birds!
Robbrown, gerhardt, nwoehnl, Jax, AndyB, RAP, Lesley, ellis49, japie, carper, TAZ, PDP, elihesam has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Callie, You are the bird king! again a great shot of an exotic species I have never seen. Fantastic to see all these exotic birds in your great quality shots.
Greetings, Jan

He's much greyer than the English Sparrow hawk and I think nicer looking to boot. nice piece of action shot.

Great capture. Those oranges do stand out nicely. Great compo and sharp detail. Love the pose. Thanx Callie.

Wow, this is quite unique (and a brand-new shot as I see). Very interesting posing and astonishing detail on the beautiful plumage. Good composition with just the branch and the perfect blue sky as a background. Great work, Callie.

  • Great 
  • Jax Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 77 W: 0 N: 150] (500)
  • [2004-08-20 16:59]

Great shot, informative note, the master at work.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-08-20 17:23]

A fabulous shot.
Wonderful detail and colours,great composition.
I must learn to start looking up instead of down when taking shots!
Your bird shots are inspirational,very well done.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-20 17:25]

Hermosas imágenes... ambas Callie.
Excelente perspectiva y encuadre.
Muy buena nitidez y ese contraste con ese cielo azul... espectacular.
Importante nota para conocer sobre el ave.
La incluiré en mi Tema sobre Predadoras... gracias.

Beautiful images... both Callie.
Excellent perspective and frame.
Very good clearness and that contrast with that spectacular blue sky.
Important note to know on the bird.
I will include in my Theme about Predaceous... thanks.

  • Great 
  • Lesley Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 13 N: 913] (2988)
  • [2004-08-20 20:48]

Super behavioral shot, Callie. The colors are stunning. Great photo.

Very good Callie
Nice composition , good colors and good details
Very good informative note
Well done.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-08-21 0:28]

WOW Callie, what a shot! Excellent moment caught with perfect DOF and detail. Thanks for posting.

Fantastisch bird king Callie,
Very good capture, great shot, good colours.
Callie, you can take what you see, and that's great, erg goed man.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2004-08-21 4:14]

Belle photo ! Couleurs, détails, composition impéccables. La posture de l'oiseau est très originale.
Well done !

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-08-21 5:44]

Oppps, nearly missed this. Is he waving at sparrows "cooeee, over here, helloooo" Beautiful picture Callie, excellent composition with the branch across the frame against a clear blue sky. Good one.

OK!I try for understand her body language!:)

In a great moment you freezed it,Well done,Callie!What a fine composition with dry branch/wood you creat,you did great,neat,sharp,and very strong shot in birds categories.
I like it,Callie!

  • Great 
  • Bac Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 93 W: 3 N: 33] (486)
  • [2004-09-04 9:13]

Etrange position pour cet oiseau. Belle prise.

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2004-11-27 9:30]

Wonderfull bird and great capture, so the title " sign language" is funny ! i like the color and light, great frame.
Very well done Callie

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