Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Timed entrance

I don't think I'll ever take a better timed picture than this one. A couple of weeks ago, we noticed these three green bee-eaters (Merops orientalis) sitting together and moving their heads in unison, following the flight patterns of the little insects which make up a large part of their diet. For some reason, I was determined to take a picture, though I knew that my dinky camera did not have the zoom needed to get any kind of recognizable picture.

I managed to get the lens of my camera to fit in through the eyepiece of my binoculars; and then it was a struggle to hold up the binoculars with one hand, keep the birds in the field and focus the camera for a decent picture. Took a few, but either my shaking hands or the camera's lack of focus ruined all those pictures. One last chance and when I clicked, I saw that it was a much sharper picture than the ones I had taken until then. It was only later I realized that M. orientalis number 4 had also tried to get into the picture - and succeeded rather well!

8 comments:

Lowell said...

I've heard that patience is one of the photographer's greatest assets...also readiness. You had both and this is the most excellent result!

Great job!

sreesnake said...

For a snap through binoculars that is amazing!! You sure have a steady hand.

sanil said...

Good job man good job, that's a crystal clear pic through multiple lenses and the timing is amazing. I think the late entrant stole the show with his extended wings.

chorinchath said...

I fully agree with Mr Jacob's comment. When the photo was zoomed I felt I was in the midst of these birds.

Shantaram said...

@ Jacob: Plus a whole load of luck! Thank you!!

@ Sree: Synchronized instability of both hands, more like :)

@ Sanil: He's certainly the star of this show - and he didn't sit around after!

@ Chorinchath: It is always a toss up between watching the birds and recording them - just got amazingly lucky that day!

KAS said...

shanta - my comment is also little late.

amazing man - lovely stuff. you have one more job on hand!!!

Shantaram said...

@ Srini: Thanks for dropping by, and for all the nice words! Keep visiting!!

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