Peter's third attempt

[PeterHG]

Great info @Galana, thanks a lot, also for the link to the BTO page. I will claim it as African then and, as I've managed to grab a photo of our own European one just yesterday, you've done wonders for my count

[Zim Girl]

2 hours ago, PeterHG said:

How to get a proper EBC shot...(tips and tricks)

 

Whilst enjoying our days in Kunene, I decided to try and get some more EBC shots. That is not as easy as it sounds. It takes time, experience and above all patience to set up a proper EBC photo. One often has to walk back from the subject, circling it carefully for an obscured view or wait for hours until the bird finally leaves its open perch and settles in a more heavily branched area of the tree. Back-lit preferably and its head turned away from the photographer. A little camera shake or underexposure might help, but don’t make this too obvious. The result should look unintentional and spontaneous. Frustrating at times, when all you can get is a clear, well-exposed picture, but all the more rewarding when you are successful at last.

So forgive me for being somewhat proud of this photo of a Cuckoo. Still recognizable as such (that is what a decent EBC shot is about), but very hard to tell if it is an African Cuckoo or a Common (European) one.

 

 

@PeterHG If you feel you need any further tuition, I will be happy to oblige 

[Towlersonsafari]

Dear @PeterHG you have described my whole photographic life experience!

[Dave Williams]

This is the best idea for a new thread in ages, well done Peter. 

[Galana]

28 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

This is the best idea for a new thread in ages,

An EBC Big Year? I like it. I can feel a whole new career path opening up.

My opening entries..

 

Better give Peter his thread back.

[PeterHG]

I have followed @Galana 's advice and included the African Cuckoo into the count as #136 /Nam 118.

So now:

137 / Nam 119.  Acacia Pied Barbet. Feb. Etosha

 

[PeterHG]

138 / Nam 120. Green-winged Pytilia. Feb. Mahango Game Reserve

 

[PeterHG]

139 /Nam 121. Wattled Crane. Feb. Mahango Game Reserve. We were very happy to see a few of those beautiful cranes, though quite distant. Another lifer for me.

 

[PeterHG]

140 /Nam 122. Hamerkop. Feb. Mahango Game Reserve.

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2018 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

Already included in the count at Kunene, but the Mahango Game Reserve offered another chance of some photos. They are such beautiful models....

Little Bee-eater

 

[PeterHG]

141 / Nam 123. Hartlaub's Babbler. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins.

Very similar to the Black-faced Babbler, which has a light eye and a dark rump. Both were lifers, but the Hartlaub's appears to be much more common than the Black-faced. I only saw the latter at Roy's Rest Camp. 

 

[PeterHG]

142 / Nam 124. Coppery-tailed Coucal (immature). Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana

 

[PeterHG]

143 / Nam 125. Brown-hooded Kingfisher. Feb. Drotsky's cabins, Botswana

 

[PeterHG]

144 / Nam 126. Meve's Starling. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana.

 

[PeterHG]

145 / Nam 127. Collared Sunbird. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana

 

[PeterHG]

146 /Nam 128. Black-collared Barbet. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana.

 

[PeterHG]

147 /Nam 129. Southern Brown-throated Weaver. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana. The only time I saw this weaver before, was some years ago at the bridge leading to St Lucia, so it was a nice surprise to find it in the camp.

 

Edited April 25, 2018 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

148 / Nam 130. Malachite Kingfisher. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana. We usually see one or two on a trip, but getting a decent picture is quite another matter. This was taken on a boat trip on the Okavango.

 

[PeterHG]

149 /Nam 131.Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana

 

Edited April 25, 2018 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

150 / Nam 132. Pied Wagtail. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana.

 

[xelas]

Malachite is a beauty. About Coucal, the fact that does not have red eyes does not bother you, @PeterHG?? 

[PeterHG]

14 minutes ago, xelas said:

Malachite is a beauty. About Coucal, the fact that does not have red eyes does not bother you, @PeterHG?? 

Thanks, @xelas. I do believe that the eyes of an immature coucal are still dark. The size to me was pretty decisive anyway

[Galana]

33 minutes ago, PeterHG said:

149 /Nam 131. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater. Feb. Drotsky's Cabins, Botswana

Are you sure? There's an awful lot of blue on those cheeks

[PeterHG]

14 minutes ago, Galana said:

Are you sure? There's an awful lot of blue on those cheeks

Ah, hasty, hasty. The label in my Lightroom says Blue-cheeked, so that would explain the blue cheeks. I've corrected this in the post, thanks!

Edited April 25, 2018 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

I'll just have to add the Swallow-tailed I was saving for later... 

 

151 / Nam 133. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater. Feb. Waterberg.