NikonGear'23

Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: Mongo on April 25, 2018, 02:53:13

Title: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Mongo on April 25, 2018, 02:53:13
The first two were taken on a very cool overcast day.
D4s and 200 -  500mm

the last two on a day of mixed light. The last image is just for fun and a reminder that “ET” is alive, well and living amongst us somewhere
D800E and AFS 11 600mm f4

Mongo is no expert but suspects that the first two are a different species to the last two.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: pluton on April 25, 2018, 06:38:24
Beautiful shots; the shape-defining lighting makes them stand out.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Ann on April 25, 2018, 06:39:16
Terrific photographs!

Species of these Darters (Anhingas) seem to live in warmer places all round the globe, (I have seen and photographed them in Borneo, in Southern Africa and in Florida).

The ones that I have seen have very different colouring depending on whether they are male, female or juveniles so that may account for the differing colours of your birds?

Where did you find these beauties?
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Mongo on April 25, 2018, 08:17:45
Thank you Pluton and Ann for your kind comments.

Ann, these were taken around the artificially created lake at Olympic Park (the major site for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games) which is approximate 30 km west of the Sydney CBD. Yes, varying colours are often the indicator of age or gender of the bird but you have to be a real bird person to know that. Mongo is just a keen photographer who happens to find birds very interesting and very often comes across them in the national parks and similar locations that Mongo frequents.

It would be nice to see the variations you have captured in some interesting parts of the world you have mentioned
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Hugh_3170 on April 25, 2018, 09:42:03
I particularly like the first two images and I think the fact  that they are almost B&W images further helps accentuate their shape - a nice effect.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: David Paterson on April 25, 2018, 09:52:33
Superb. All are very fine but #1 is a clear favourite, imho, for the wonderful display of the bird's fllight-feathers and the subtle but very effective PP which has given them exactly the right emphasis.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Akira on April 25, 2018, 10:14:27
The first one is exemplary, but somehow I'm attracted to the last image showing rather funny side of the bird.  :)
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Mongo on April 25, 2018, 14:13:50
thank you Hugh, David and Akira. Appreciated your views and the CC.
Akira, also glad you liked the amusing side offered in the last image.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Jakov Minić on April 25, 2018, 14:40:18
Mongo, that third image with the transluscent beak is extra special :)
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Mongo on April 25, 2018, 23:56:11
Mongo, that third image with the transluscent beak is extra special :)

very big thanks Jakov. Sometimes you can get lucky if the light is favourable.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Nasos Kosmas on April 26, 2018, 05:23:33
The framing and the 3D pop up of the first photo looks excellent to me  :)
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: timh on April 26, 2018, 06:40:49
Great shots Mongo,
I like the last one, don't often see a bird from that angle.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Peter Connan on April 26, 2018, 19:29:15
All of them are lovely!
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Mongo on April 30, 2018, 07:11:56
thanks again all for looking in and for your kind comments.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: tommiejeep on April 30, 2018, 09:29:00
Mongo, excellent images.  I shoot many Darters but rarely close  >:( .  I have several books but the proper description of Darters is pretty sketchy in all but the first two images appear to be Juvenile Darter.  Unusually I can not find good description for difference between Male/female and nothing about Breeding Plumage.  The Indian Darter is "Anhinga Melanogaster".   I cannot find any of images shot with 500 f4G vr only 300 2.8G vr w/TC's.
Well done and thanks for sharing.
Tom
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: enough on April 30, 2018, 10:20:51
Mongo, a great study, well captured.  In terms of the species, they are all the same.  The first two are of a Juvenile Australasian Darter and the second two of an adult (Male). Mark
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: Mongo on April 30, 2018, 13:51:55
Tom and Mark - thank you both for your comments and information about darters.
Title: Re: A Short Darter Study
Post by: armando_m on April 30, 2018, 15:23:40
Love how the bird is staring back at you  on the last image

Great details on all of them