Another Kea (NZ endemic)

Dorian Anderson · Apr 3, 2019

I originally discounted this frame because of the bands, but it has really grown on me because of the color and detail.

Compared to the other Kea I posted, this shot is better in every way. The bands might bother some, but they're a fact of life
when shooting NZ's many critically endangered birds. All the adults I saw were banded; only the younger birds, as in my first
post, were band-free. That first Kea post can be seen here, for comparison.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/147963-Kea-New-Zealand-endemic

Canon 100-400mm f.4.5-5.6 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/500 at f/5.6, ISO 1600, handheld
Processed in LR CC. Cloned out the corner of a plaque on the rock in the lower left corner.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
ƒ/5.6
300mm
1/500s
ISO 1600
Dorian Anderson
Flash not fired
Sun, 10 March 2019 5:23 PM
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 8.1 (Macintosh)

Jonathan Ashton · Apr 3, 2019

The bird looks very nice indeed. You may wish to consider lowering the exposure on the stone, just to make it a little less dominant in the scene. I am with you regarding the bands, we just have to accept that they are there, when all is said and done we are more interested in the shape and plumage than the bands.

greg cowle · Apr 3, 2019

Very nice, agree it is better than the other you posted. The bird isn't worried about the bands, and in the end it is done for good reason.

Bill Dix · Apr 3, 2019

Great pose, with perfect HA. Terrific detail. The BG color is an ideal match for the bird's plumage. What notorious pests these guys are. Years ago, while having lunch at a shelter on the Milford Track, a Kea flew in and grabbed the entire lunch bag of one of my fellow trekkers, and flew off clutching the whole bag.

Tim Foltz · Apr 3, 2019

Dorian, nice shot all around, nice details, BG, HA and those colors really compliment the BG.
To bad about the bands but as you said they are a fact of life.

-Tim

John Mack · Apr 3, 2019

Looks spot on all around. Really like how the color of the bird matches the color of the background.

Chris van Rooyen · Apr 4, 2019

Very nice Dorian, I'm really enjoying your NZ trip! What amazes me of this bird is that it is so unlike a parrot in stance, very raptor like IMO. No nits from my side, very compelling image - bands are a fact of life. Beautiful background.