Bird Portraits - Also help requested to ID a bird species

Raj_55555 · Apr 16, 2014

Posting some of my best bird portraits, I must say it took some guts to post these shots after the quality bird shots recently posted by Danny and Kristofer.
C&C welcome as always. Also please help me ID the bird #1 & #6. I've no idea what #1 is, and #2 I thought was a black kite, but it doesn't have grey feather on the head.

#1 We aren't on talking terms!
Nutmeg Mannikin or Scaly breasted Munia (thanks to Jacaranda and Danny)

#2 The national bird of India

#3 Gull in flight portrait

#4 Blue eyes of an Elegant Swan

#5 Black-Crowned Night Heron

#6 Some kite

#7 Asian Black Kite

nzmacro · Apr 16, 2014

Raj, never worry about what others are posting, never. Nothing wrong with your shots and some really unique subjects you have. We are all just mere clickers, nature is the master.

#1, try a Scaly breasted Munia. Those are just gorgeous in the markings and colours, love the tones in those two. A beautiful bird Raj. Great caption as well that suits those two

Not sure on the others Raj, I had to use Google for the first one. The others are darn good as well and the Peacock, they are an amazing looking on and very well taken. Nice and close. The last one is just so powerful and nice fine details there.

All the best Raj and just keep them coming.

Danny.

MSnowy · Apr 16, 2014

Nice set.

DarkShadow · Apr 16, 2014

Nice set Raj.

sm4him · Apr 16, 2014

I think nzmacro is right on with the ID on #1. That next to last one (you have two numbered #6): I'm not sure. I have enough trouble ID'ing the hawks in MY area. But I still think Black Kite is a pretty good possibility--there are a lot of pictures of them where you don't see much of a black area on the top of the head. However, Rough-legged hawk is another possibility--according to what I saw, you do have them there.

Really nice stuff overall, and like others have said, don't hesitate to post yours, they are quite nice. SOME of the photographers here, like Kris and Matthew, tend to make me feel like MY pictures might just as well have been taken by a drunk monkey. With only one arm. I've long since quit telling myself that I just need a different lens, or a different camera, or better lighting, or...I would just need a whole different set of skills to keep up with the "top tier" around here!

Oh yeah, one note: While I really like most of these, I am not a fan of the gull photo, because of the cut-off wing on the left and then so much room on the right--it makes for an awkward composition. IF I'm going to cut a wing off, I would tend to crop the photo so that the OTHER wing was also cropped, giving it some balance.

DLeeT · Apr 16, 2014

Very nice indeed, Raj. And Danny and Sharon are right: go ahead and post! I'm fully aware my stuff isn't even close to the quality of Danny's and others -- and never will be. But I have fun at it and perhaps what I post is of some interest. One thing I learned -- no matter what the endeavor -- there is always going to someone better at it! :wink:

So keep 'em coming. Lee

Raj_55555 · Apr 16, 2014

MSnowy said:
Nice set.

DarkShadow said:
Nice set Raj.

Thank you so much guys

Raj_55555 · Apr 16, 2014

nzmacro said:
Raj, never worry about what others are posting, never. Nothing wrong with your shots and some really unique subjects you have. We are all just mere clickers, nature is the master.

Nature is indeed the master, thanks Danny

nzmacro said:
#1, try a Scaly breasted Munia. Those are just gorgeous in the markings and colours, love the tones in those two. A beautiful bird Raj. Great caption as well that suits those two
Not sure on the others Raj, I had to use Google for the first one.

huh! And I thought I was the Google master. What exactly did you search, "brown headed white breast black spotted bird"?

Thanks for the id Danny, and yes the last one is my personal fav too

baturn · Apr 16, 2014

Very nice! And I agree about the last one.

tirediron · Apr 16, 2014

Word!

Nice set!

Raj_55555 · Apr 16, 2014

sm4him said:
That next to last one (you have two numbered #6): I'm not sure. I have enough trouble ID'ing the hawks in MY area. But I still think Black Kite is a pretty good possibility--there are a lot of pictures of them where you don't see much of a black area on the top of the head. However, Rough-legged hawk is another possibility--according to what I saw, you do have them there.

Thanks, corrected it now. I need the id on #6, but it's definitely not a rough legged hawk.

sm4him said:
Really nice stuff overall, and like others have said, don't hesitate to post yours, they are quite nice. SOME of the photographers here, like Kris and Matthew, tend to make me feel like MY pictures might just as well have been taken by a drunk monkey. With only one arm.

lol :mrgreen: I actually feel like a drunken one armed monkey after looking at their shots, but I understand what you're saying. Thanks.

sm4him said:
Oh yeah, one note: While I really like most of these, I am not a fan of the gull photo, because of the cut-off wing on the left and then so much room on the right--it makes for an awkward composition. IF I'm going to cut a wing off, I would tend to crop the photo so that the OTHER wing was also cropped, giving it some balance.

Hmm.. I was actually trying for a unique composition, thinking it may pop out a bit from the usual BIFs..

Thanks for the critique sm4him

Raj_55555 · Apr 16, 2014

DLeeT said:
Very nice indeed, Raj. And Danny and Sharon are right: go ahead and post! I'm fully aware my stuff isn't even close to the quality of Danny's and others -- and never will be. But I have fun at it and perhaps what I post is of some interest. One thing I learned -- no matter what the endeavor -- there is always going to someone better at it! So keep 'em coming. Lee

I know what you mean Lee.. Thanks a lot

Raj_55555 · Apr 16, 2014

baturn said:
Very nice! And I agree about the last one.

Thanks baturn. Do you mean the feedback about the seagull shot?

tirediron said:
Word!

Nice set!

Sorry, I am not sure what "Word!" means in this context, but thanks

JacaRanda · Apr 16, 2014

I would have to say #1 are Nutmeg Mannikin Home Nutmeg Mannikins. Of course after searching for 'Scaly breasted Munia' the education never ends!

Scaly-breasted Munia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks for having the guts to share Raj, welcome to the club

coastalconn · Apr 16, 2014

Nice set, I really like the last one. Don't worry about us, we don't bite and we all started some where. I have picked up many tips online that I use. Sometimes the internet can be a really good learning environment.. Not so long ago negative feedback upset me, but I learned to take it with a grain of salt and motivate myself to get better. We are all always learning...