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Blue-cheeked Bee-eater


Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Photo Information
Copyright: Kuzey Cem Kulacoglu (kuzeycem) Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 0 N: 32] (198)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2015-06-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 7D, Canon 400 mm F 5.6 L
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/2000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2015-08-18 4:30
Viewed: 1741
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful birds on Earth.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus-TR:Yeşil Arıkuşu) is a member of the family bee-eaters (Meropidae). It has two subspecies. The nominate M. p. persicus breeds from SE Turkey to N India, through Egypt, Jordan, Israel (irregular), Persian Gulf, shores of Caspian & Aral Seas and N Afghanistan. It winters in E tropical Africa.
M. p. chrysocercus breeds in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, W Libya, Senegal to Chad. It winters in W tropical Africa.
This species forms a species group with Olive Bee-eater (M. superciliosus) and Blue-tailed Bee-eater (M. philippinus).
It has a mainly green plumage with traces of blue on upperparts. It has a yellow & red throat, blue cheeks, forehead and supercilium and a black eye-stripe. It has a long and slightly curved bill as well as elongated central tail feathers, just like other bee-eater. Sexes are similar but female on average is duller, particularly on the face.
Asian birds usually eat hymenopterans (wasps, bees etc.) while African ones eat dragonflies. Observations from colonies in Turkey suggest that Turkish birds depend largely on butterflies, especially Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).
This photo was taken near a village south of Atatürk Dam. There was a mixed colony of European & Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters in the area, although Blue-cheeked were much more dominant (about 200 Blue-cheekeds and 30 Europeans). They were constantly feeding above and then perching on rocks (or near a nesting hole). They really are as vivid as the photographs show. A real pleasure to watch them. Here we have a pair, with male in front and female in the back. Male would catch a wasp and then present it to the female.
Thanks for your critiques!
nanreh, OPYphoto, Alan_Kolnik has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

I agree with you, Kuzey, is one of the 10 most beautiful birds in the world, without a doubt, congratulations on him all honor, friend.
A big hug from Argentina.

Hernan Bortondello

great capture of this special bird, greetings Ori

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2015-08-18 5:56]

Hello Kuzey,
Spectacular photo of this pair of Bee-eater. Taken from a perfect POV in fantastic sharpness, details and splendid colours. Wonderful composition. High quality again!
Regards,
Peter

very beautiful shot with superb colors and good sharpness. Very nice composition. congratulation
Pierre

Very nice and sharp. Magnificent birds indeed.

Your picture is so clear that it is easy to spot the tiny difference in coloring in the areas just in front of their eyes, and via your note distinguish the male from the female.

Hello Kuzey
Beautiful shot of these superb colors Bee-eaters. Very nice composition.

Biswarup

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