The Perfect Pirate's Parrot

[Mongo]

If you can say the tile of this thread quickly, you are doing a lot better than Mongo.

Now to the picture story below captured just wondering around in one of the local parks.

If you are the modern-day busy pirate quite rightfully concentrating on pillaging and plundering and not wishing to waste time, then, you need the latest in wash and wear dip dry essential accessory - the Macaw. (images 1 to 4 below)

Images 5 and 6 just show what great friends these two are. The parrot even had a walking leash - who needs a dog ?! this one is just as loyal, can even talk back to you and laugh at your bad jokes.

BWT - the upper plumage on the Macaw in image 5 was one of the only times Mongo managed to get superb results from the 200-400mm f4. The post processed Tiff file of this image shows an astonishing image result for that plumage (then used with a D200 but at close range). Mongo mentions this because he is no fan of this lens and ultimately sold it for unsatisfactory performance.

[Thomas G]

Nice series. Did not know that parrots need manual bathing 
Number 5 lives, very crisp, compelling colors!

[Mongo]

Nice series. Did not know that parrots need manual bathing 
Number 5 lives, very crisp, compelling colors!

Thanks Thomas - Mongo (and probably the parrot) did not know it either.
#5 is also Mongo's favourite (followed by #6). Great emotional bond and friendship between these two. The original image is astonishingly sharp, vibrant, luminescent and virtually 3D. Only wish it were possible to show that one image as it really is.

[Hugh_3170]

Lovely images Mongo, especially #5. 

The only thing that I cannot see are the pieces of eight, but I will look again just in case I missed them! 

[Mongo]

Lovely images Mongo, especially #5. 

The only thing that I cannot see are the pieces of eight, but I will look again just in case I missed them! 

thanks Hugh. Indeed, Mongo would give many pieces of eight for a Macaw like this one - he was just a wonderful , wonderful friend and companion to this guy.

[Hugh_3170]

Mongo I had a D200, and it worked really well in good light; much less so in poorer light. 

Did your 200-400mm also disappoint you on newer camera bodies?  Just wondering.

[Anthony]

Amusing series, and I also love §5.

[Mongo]

thank you Anthony.

Mongo I had a D200, and it worked really well in good light; much less so in poorer light. 

Did your 200-400mm also disappoint you on newer camera bodies?  Just wondering.

Yes, Hugh. Mongo bought the 200-400mm f4 new and you can imagine he did everything he could to keep it. However, even after it had gone back to Nikon 4 times, it was still very inconsistent - sometimes performing very well but mostly very poorly. This was the case on the D200, D800 and even on a D4s. In 3 years it was only used about a dozen times and finally sold off in virtually new condition. Mongo must say, his copy performed better in closer situations (sometimes) but was poor otherwise and with converters. Mongo's friend's copy worked far better in all situations and with converters but not stellar. To sum up Mongo's experience with the 200-400 f4, it was very hit or miss but mainly miss for a lens of that quality and price, Mongo's 200-500mm f5.6 is a better experience already. Hope this info helps.

[Frank Fremerey]

some birds really enjoy bathing!