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Peek-a-Boo


Peek-a-Boo
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-06
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Bali, Indonesia
Theme(s): Peek A Boo [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-08-30 15:45
Viewed: 5800
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Okay, so I have been playing hide-and-seek for the past few months, but I hope I am back. I have missed all my good friends on TN, and all the beautiful pictures on the site.

This summer we went to Bali for a wonderful family vacation, and we had a chance to visit their famous bird park. This is one of the creatures I got to meet up close.

My Bali Travelogue

Malaysian Fruit Bat
Cynopterus brachyotis

Physical Description:
Fox-like face, protruding jaw
Short to non-existent tail
Normal to large, dark eyes
Ears are fully enclosed at the base
Hair varies in thickness; generally short and fuzzy; front part of head, outer parts of limbs and wing membrane are generally bald.
Skin is brownish with variation in hue and intensity
Wings are usually dark with spotted patterns
Teeth are generally 34 in number and do not fully close; the back molars are flat and wide and used for crushing soft fruits
Long and agile tongue
Hands have a small claw on the second fingers which are useful in ripping open fruits; this is a distinguishing factor between Fruit and Insectivorous Bats.

Eating Habits:
The fruit bat's taste is much like that of humans; they prefer sweet, aromatic, juicy fruits. Once they find their meal, they will either eat it right off the vine or tree or take elsewhere to enjoy. It is not uncommon for the bat to crush the fruit and simply drink the juices, while leaving the remaining pulp to fall to the ground and rot. Some fruit bats will pollinate flowers, gaining nourishment from the nectar; thus creating a symbiotic relationship. However, many will chew the "meaty" petals right off of the flower, killing the blossom.
Large fruit bats must eat a lot to become sated. These bats have large, expandable stomachs which increase on one side forming a sac-like form. This trait belongs to the fruit bat alone. The insectivorous bats have larger intestinal tracts, instead.

Navigation and Migration:
Bats communicate and navigate using high-frequency sounds. This method is so sophisticated and refined that a bat could detect an object the size of a human hair in total darkness. Bats, being very loyal to their birthplace and hibernation sight, may use this in some way to plot their way from one destination to the other but scientists are unaware of exactly how they find their way back and forth every year. It is thought that certain patterns and landmarks are passed through generations. Bats tend to migrate within a 300 mile range to warmer climates where they hibernate for up to 6 months or more using reserves of stored fat.

Environmental Adaptations and Techniques:
When the weather gets warm, about 37 degrees Celcius, bats simulate the act of perspiring. The fruit bat will lick their breast, stomach, and wings to the point that it would seem they'd been bathing in water. Then, they'll fan one of their wings back and forth to create s breeze against their body. This causes the moisture to evaporate, thus cooling them down.
When the weather gets cold, about 10 degrees Celcius, they'll wrap themselves tightly in their winged membrane, tucking their heads, faces, and any other parts they can manage inside. From that point their warm breath will become a source of heat. In addition, their usual huddling together in large groups creates warmth as well.

Sleep, Dawn and Dusk:
Fruit bats don't hibernate or fall into deep lethargic daytime sleeps like the insectivorous bats. Their sleep tendencies are a bit like many humans. They'll sleep during the daylight hours after a long night's hunt, and they'll sleep hard if they're tired enough. However, if they are alarmed in any way, they won't hesitate to check out what the cause is.
When dusk arrives, the bats will quickly leave their roosting site (the hanging position is beneficial to this). The first task is usually a visit to a nearby watering hole. There they will briefly touch the surface of the water and take off again, drinking as they ascend.
When dawn arrives, the bats will make their way back to their caves, barns or trees. There, they'll noisily fly around for sometimes hours at a time before finally hanging up for the day.

Source
boreocypriensis, Kathleen, Evelynn, LordPotty, tkp1165, rcrick, Dyker, zulfu, gannu, jrobertop, loot, Janice, spalaxtr, SunToucher, janhendrik, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Manyee,
Superb macro capture of this huge Malaysian Fruit Bat in acro-bat:) positon. What great and cute eyes:) Lovely shot too. Great notes on the biology of the species.
Many thanks for sharing this beauty!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Manyee.
Wow, your image is full of sharp detail on the face of this Bat and with that eye contact. Well done.

Kathleen

Hi,
Welcome back!

I'm not sure this little guy appreciated the bright light in his wide eyes. The upside down pose is very effective.

TFS
Evelynn : )

A beautifully sharp image of this Flying Fox Manyee.
The focus is just right so that the eyes are nice and clear.
A stunning shot.
Well done.
Steve

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-08-30 22:32]

Hello Manyee,
Welcome back to TN!
This is a superb close-up of a Malaysian Fruit Bat: the large round eyes are great! It has still the remains of its last meal round its muzzle. The ridges on the inside of the ear are interesting, like those of insect eating bats but as this is a fruit eater they must be to hear the sounds of their own species at night.
Thanks for sharing this fine image and informative note.
Ivan

Welcome back Manyee
Great shot with a great pose. Very sharp and nice detail. He looks very surprised. Well done,TFS
Tom

Hi Manyee,

So good to see you back posting again, this is great the detail is just amazing, wonderful colour, perfect exposure, just excellent, t.f.s

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • Dyker Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 136 W: 0 N: 57] (170)
  • [2008-08-31 0:44]

Hello Manyee
Too cute this little upside-down critter with the amazing pop-eyes. The photo has good focus and it shows all the lovely details of this fruit bat. Comparing the positions of the highlights in the eyes and the pupil's one might argue, tongue-in-cheek, that this bat might be slightly squint. Aren't those engaging little ears something else to see as well? Thanks for showing.
Greetings
AC

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2008-08-31 2:33]

Hello Manyee, great macro shot in all aspects! Eyes are amazing!
TFS and regards,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-08-31 9:00]

Hello Manyee, This is a beautiful shot and great clarity. Wonderful view and good composition. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-08-31 11:59]

Hello Manyee,
Very glad to see you back on TN.
This is a great photo! Original in subject and POV. Excellent sharp details and a fantastic composition. I hope this Fruit Bat isn't blind now through your flash.
Kind regards,
Peter

Hi Manyee,

Good to see that you are still on TN. What a pretty fellow. Very good focus and DOF. Well done.

Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2008-08-31 23:31]

Hi Stranger

Great to see one from you again MF. From the slide presentation it was plain to observe that you had one heck of a holiday with the family and of course the royal little Emperor. Certainly it is a treasure of memories to cherish and appreciate until the next time together.

A wonderful close-up encounter to result in this fabulous shot of the hanging fruit bat. I just love the expression of surprise on its face. The image reveals some beautiful sharp details of the little animal. Those big brown eyes are rather special. If I have to be "overly critical" the only nit I would pick is the white object at the bottom left corner, but it's no big deal, its absence or removal only would have helped to ensure a total neutral BG to enhance the bat even more.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Now do keep up the promise and let's see some more of the Bali expedition.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2008-09-01 3:39]

Welcome back Manyee.
And what a funny image to start back with :) A Fruit Bat!! What are you telling us? We're all fruit bats, or you are???
Great shot - I love his pose and those eyes - what a strange look they have. Good notes too,
Kia ora
Janice

Hi Manyee.
Wow... simply extraordinary!
Rare moment registered by you!
Excellent exposure, colors and sharpness.
Congratulations for the splendid POV.
Thanks for sharing this marvel!
Cheers,
José Roberto

Hi Manyee,
Bats ise one of my favorities, both for photography and for scientific studies. This is really great. We have such a species, Rosettus aegyptiacus. Photo is excellent. TFS. Regards,
Mustafa

Hi Manyee,
Great to see you back. It has been a long time. I was gone for a few months as well.
This is a very upclose encounter with the fruit bat, aka flying dog. It looks like it was either having a cold or having some difficulties to eat upside down. The details and frame filling composition are wonderful.
TFS,
Niek

Wow Man Yee, the eyes here are amazing :)
Cool closeup work mf, I like it!
Howard

Hi Manyee,
This is a very cute shot of the fruit bat the front POV really shows this guys character off well. Almost looks like a fox hanging upside down but then that would be weird.
Paul :)

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