Hornbills

Written by Webmaster Friday, 26 September 2003 00:00

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"When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first." Ernest Hemingway

 

 

 

 

Tocus deckeni (Family: Bucerotidae; common name: Decken's Hornbill)

Its feathers indicate that this is a young bird. We were walking around with Eva when I was caught by this motionless figure. I took several photos of it, all of them with flash and it didn't move an inch. Sometimes I wish all birds would pose for me in this way.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/250 sec - f/6.3, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted, USM added and resized  

 

 

 

 

Rhyticeros plicatus (common name: Blyth's hornbill)
 
When I saw this bird, it was almost love at first sight. Not only because of its size and interesting, contrast coloration but mostly because of its unique behavior. It was early in the morning and the visitors were really very few so it probably felt lonely. When it saw the camera it flew to the front of its cage and tried everything possible to hit it with its powerful bill. I spent more than 30 minutes there, playing with it (trying to avoid its bill) and it never left away. On the other hand, this meant that I would have to use a macro lens at a very close distance - luckily the lens which was on my camera.
 
Photos by George J. Reclos
 
Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/500, f9.5 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted, USM added and resized.

 

 

These photographs have been taken at the Attica Zoological Park. They are the property of MCH Portal and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

 

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