[..lensing Wild..]

Pair of Parakeets

2012-02-14T12:59:00.001+05:30

Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula krameri

செந்தார்ப் பைங்கிளி, senthaar-paingili (Tamil)
Male bird has a rose colored ring in its neck.
Photogrpahed in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

My IBC link

Baya Weaver -1

2012-02-10T16:50:00.001+05:30

Ploceus philippinus
தூக்கணங்குருவி

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baya_Weaver
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Ploceus_philippinus.htm

Photographed at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

Bee-eater

2010-10-07T08:35:00.008+05:30

A long time thought realized couple of days back. Yes, making a picture of the small Bee-eater was that. Though it was not a rare bird to find, many times it was beyond the reach of my lenses or they were perching on the power lines. I always wonder how colourful they are and how swift their flights are. It’s unique tail and wings are designed to catch the fly in the mid-air. A marvellous creature, no doubt .

Regarding the post processing I tried to defocus the background using photoshop a bit. Hope it is ok.

Cloning - my first attempt

2010-09-23T17:34:00.001+05:30

Juza forum is one of the places I used to post my photos. It is a wonderful place to display our photos and learn from the members. I posted the Shikra (on Banana leaf) and received a good a suggestion from one of the viewer. He suggested cloning the bright patches in the background. I too thought about that but I was bit lazy to do. I tried the cloning and post here for comparison. I know it could be better.

Shikra on the banana leaf

2010-09-19T14:04:00.002+05:30

The day broke to see this Shikra on the banana leaf.. It gave ample opportunity to take the shots from all possible angles. I used the 1.4TC with my 100-400mm and got this. However, little bit cropping involved in this image.

Shikras

2010-09-14T18:37:00.001+05:30

That was a cloudy afternoon and Sunday. I was just looking for some birdies outside of my house. There was a bird in a power line. I couldn't make out the bird. It was a like a pigeon but it was not like a pigeon too.

Later I realized that was a juvenile Shikra. I photographed a full grown Shikra in a nearby tree. Look at their eyes. How they change over time!

Peafowl

2010-09-07T20:36:00.001+05:30

From Birds-2010

A peafowl near Thanjavur Sivagangai Children's Park.

Shikra with a kill

2010-09-04T11:52:00.002+05:30

From Birds-2010

Last night I went to bed very late which made me to get out of the bed bit late. I happened to see this shikra with its fresh prey which is a squirrel as I came out of the house. A crow was also looking for some share from the break-fast.

This is my third photo oppertunity with a shikra.

Drango on guard

2010-08-31T10:01:00.001+05:30

From Birds-2010

Few weeks before two black drangos were raising their family on the top of a nearby electric post. Since then, the whole area was under the control of these drangos. They were guarding the area with at most care and vigil. It became No crows, No shikras or No kites zone immediately. They were scanning the entire sky and attacking the intruders well in advance.

The juveniles were safe.. They have grown well..

It was nice to see them learning to fly and catch insects.
Parental responsibilities are tougher, always.

Monsoon Begins

2010-08-27T17:22:00.000+05:30

It was raining few days back. Usual chirping of the sun bird was louder this time. So I ventured out when the downpour stopped to see them playing in the yellow flower shrub in the opposite house. I managed to get some decent shots of the lady bird with flowers.

This is a female sun bird. What a beautiful start for this monsoon!

From Birds-2010

Trip Reports

2010-08-27T16:42:00.005+05:30

Trumpeter Swans with Cygnets

Sacred Groves - Thirumalaisamudhram, Thanjavur

Alaska

2010-08-27T16:30:00.003+05:30

Glaciers

Denali National Park

Chena Hotsprings

Museum of North Fairbanks

University of Alaska Fairbanks and Creamers Field

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Creamers Field -Alaska

2010-08-27T13:57:00.000+05:30

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Creamers Field - Alaska