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Little Rascal!


Little Rascal!
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3749 W: 483 N: 8155] (28054)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-17
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Sigma 80-400 OS, Hoya UV 77mm
Exposure: f/6.7, 1/350 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-03-17 3:35
Viewed: 3449
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Why is it sometimes when you can get a shot of a bird it is part of it is usually behind a branch, twig or leaf? I have still not got a good photo of Fantail. They are full of energy and don't sit still for long. This little rascal was flying in and out and around a tree with his buddies and decided to land on this branch in good light. I have some more photos which I will upload, but unfortunately they all have a branch or twig in the way... That's bird photography!

Fantail (Piwakawaka)

Scientific name: Rhipidura fuliginosa

Fantails live in the forest and in our gardens. A pair of fantails raise three or four families, each with three or four chicks each summer. It is hard work. The chicks are fed every 10 minutes, which is more than 100 times a day! No wonder baby fantails grow fast. 15 days after hatching blind and naked, the chicks have grown feathers and are ready to leave the nest.

Cats, rats, stoats and mynas are the fantails' enemies. Of all their eggs and chicks, only a few survive and grow up.
Fantail / Piwakawaka "I’m piwakawaka, the fantail. I cheep a lot and I’m friendly, but really it’s the insects I’m after. People with big feet scare up the insects and then I catch them. Moths and midges are very small so I have to eat a lot and gather beak-fulls for my chicks".

* Fantails mostly live on forest edges and in scrub habitats. They can often be seen in town in parks and gardens.
* Fantails will usually be seen alone or in pairs during summer, but will often form flocks during the winter.
* Fantails occasionally eat fruit, insects and berries, but they mostly eat insects.
* Fantails are very good at catching insects in the air - they can change direction very quickly when they are flying.

Image Information

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 6:28 p.m.
Date: 17th March 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Sigma 80-400mm OS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/350
F-Stop: F/6.7
Flash: No
Tripod: No
Focal Length: 351mm
ISO: 400
LordPotty, red45, dew77, Signal-Womb, marhowie, Runnerduck, scottevers7, gerhardt, deud, Dee_eS has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

I reckon the 'near misses' of fantails would have to outnumber all the successful shots I've ever taken.
You're right,they are so hard to shoot well. Most of those little native birds,like fantails,tomtits,warblers etc, prefer to have a twig or branch between you and them. Fantails are a bit braver than the rest but they still move so fast most of my shots are blurred.I've decided in future I'm going to use the sports mode on my camera for them.
This is still a really cute shot,even though you can't see the tail.Your notes are good too.Keep trying for that perfect fantail shot...so will I.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2005-03-17 5:08]

Cute birdie Pam! Little scared, in defensive pose :-) I like quality - twig isn't so much disturbed to me. I tried to photo similiar birds but it is almost impossible! Good work!

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2005-03-17 5:33]

Superb shot,Pam!What a cuteness...She has a curious look at you.
Pose,details,light an dyour note are very good.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 598 W: 11 N: 72] (436)
  • [2005-03-17 6:27]

what a look in his eyes.You captured is very well.Good contrast of color&light is perfect.

Yep Pam, he certainly has devilment in those eyes he's also very adorable...very nice capture and well done.

Pam, Nice close-up shot with great details. Great POV also. Excellent note..Well done!

The composition is really good but the traces on the right side are a bit disturbing and focus could've been better on its face.
TFS.

Great portrait of the bird. Interesting object.
Good composition, very well sharpned.
Well done!
Regards.

I wouldn't worry about the twig in the way, it doesn't take your eye away from the subject at all. Our focus is on the bird and nothing else. What a cutie, you've done a great job.
Thanks so much for sharing.

  • Great 
  • vero Silver Star Critiquer [C: 44 W: 8 N: 16] (342)
  • [2005-03-17 16:14]

Jolie pose et beau portrait de cet oiseau!
Super photo!

Great shot! I do not think that twig distracts from the photo. Color, detail and framing are great. Nice Work!

The twig doesn't bother me at all. Its an excellent compo and such a nice pose. It does appear a little soft around the beak but it's a minor nit. Well done, Pam.

ps. I did not forget 'bout the family portrait. :)

Yes that is indeed bird photography. I too have a nice shot of a Grey Fantail, just like yours it has twigs in the way. You would think they could be more cooperative. Good feather detail.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 438 W: 11 N: 534] (2540)
  • [2005-03-23 8:39]

Great close-up! very expressive.

Great shot, nice portrait, pin sharp!

  • Great 
  • sela Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 47 W: 0 N: 39] (738)
  • [2005-09-16 16:23]

Thát´s wildlife pur. I love it, very great capture.

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