Bird's Eye

Asprosmictus erythropterus (Order: Psittaciformes; Family: Psittacidae; common name: Red  winged  parrot)

One of the most challenging issues for photographers is to reveal the detail of a very dark object placed on an even darker background. Like the iris and the cornea of this parrot. A black iris is still perfectly visible on a dark brown background, creating an absolutely natural image.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed: 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.

Psittacus erithacus (common name: Grey parrot)

A close up of the eye of this grey parrot made up for a "different" shot while the animal is still recognizable.

Photo 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: 1/250 sec, f/9.5, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: RAW, converted in Photoshop CS, sharpening and contrast adjusted, saved in JPEG, levels adjusted, cropped + USM added.  

Eos bornea garrlulus (Order: Psittaciformes; Family: Psittacidae; common name: Red lory)

Playful as ever, this parrot will never mind your presence or the use of your flash. It will continue enjoying its fruit or display to the other birds. A beautiful bird, full of energy yet friendly enough and playful.  

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed: 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.

Geopelia cuneata (Family: Columbiformes; common name: Diamond dove or Little dove)

One of the smallest pigeons in the world this small creature is also one of the most beautiful representatives of the family. They are kept as a colony so it is very difficult to take a picture of them as they always move around. According to Eva Stets (our bird consultant) the bird in the photo is a male since it has a wide red circle around its eye; the females have a much narrower one. The relatively wide aperture called for a very careful focusing. This is one of the few photos which were in focus.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed: 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.

Trichoglossus haematodus (Common Name: Rainbow lory)
 
This is a bird which can be used to evaluate the colour accuracy of your camera since it has almost every colour on it (except green). I took the first shot with the normal settings and, since the bird didn't fly away, I decided to use very small aperture settings to "eliminate" the background. This is evident in other photos, which also show a greater depth of field. Getting fine detail is easier when shooting parrots and lories because of the peculiar construction of their feathers.

Photos by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/8 in aperture priority mode
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, sharpness and contrast added, resized and saved.