Embracing the beauty of BB (Common buzzard).

[skfoo]

It was Sunday. Luckily for me, Peng Eik’s vehicle was able to accommodate one more passenger. We were moving along a dusty/sandy road when we saw this beauty perching on a tree, a short distance away from us. This beauty was none other than Buteo Buteo (Common buzzard). Unable to tell its sexes, I called it BB. BB is in great shape and excellent physiques. Its feathers patterns are beautifully crafted and anyone can tell these are nature’s work of arts. BB has a confident poise and fierce looking pair of eyes. When we saw it, its position was just great! BB was in front of us (where our lenses were pointed) and the sun was behind us. The position of sun vs BB’s position gave a sparkle to its eyes while revealing the magnificent details of its feathers. (Photographers take note - the sparkle in the eyes of the subject can give the subject a sense of life when viewed on a 2 dimension media [like photographs or computer monitors]).

This shot reveal the flow of the feathers (side view) and BB’s body was inclined at some 45 degree position.



Somewhat rear view as it looked at two macho nature photographers shooting from inside the car.



BB posing by aligning it’s body in an almost horizontal position. Check out the feathers structure on its thigh.

[skfoo]

and ……. oops! oops! oops! BB flying away. Haven’t removed the TC yet! Wings clipped!



Last glimpse of BB before it flew further and further way.



This final shot was enclosed as a bonus to share with viewers. Most people will not post it because it’s not very refine. But when BB did it (Did what? Notice something whitish on the left hand side), it looked gorgeous. Don’t you think so?



This series of images was to depict the beauty of BB. I hope you like them as much as I do. I believe most people may not have the opportunity to see BB like we did. By posting its images, I hope to share the joy that we had with fellow nature lovers who were not as fortunate as us. One of reasons why photographers need to be proficient with their craft (not to say that I am) is that when we met something unexpected, there will be images to tell the tale. Indeed, we can never tell what we will meet in the wild, especially during the migratory seasons.

Taking this opportunity to send Seasons greeting to everyone!

Cheers!

[Fred]

Nice images, Thanks for sharing the images and write-up!

[2100]

Great as usual SK.

Don't think the sh-it pic is unrefined. Poo shoot out! (Be patient, takes a while to load)
http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/wildw...=hc&picnumb=24


This reminds me, must get the nature mag you recommended tomorrow. Hope Times Bkshop has it.

[ccplim]

Nice one SK! Too bad I couldn't make it that day

[philip827]

Nice shots and very informative

[Jeff]

Very informative indeed.

BTW, I can't help but compared ur shots to Peng Eik’s. His shots appear more evenly tone whilst ur shots show a lot of contrasty areas. Has it got to do with the post processing preference here?

Thanks.

[Newguy69]

Thanks for sharing sk. As usual, only one word to say about your pics 'SWEE'

Cheers

[joeyao]

As usual, your pics are inspiring. I just hope this BB was not taken in a scrub, if it was we may never see it again because the scrub will be transformed into HDB flats, industrial estates or expressways within a short time frame.

Since taking up bird photography, I have been searching the street directory for potential scrubs and I am sad to note that most of them are earmarked for development. Recently I came across a bird sanctuary in Marina East indicated in the street directory but when I went there, what I encountered were contruction works being carried out and the scrub has all but disappeared.

I know this is sensitive, but I hope fellow bird photographers can share their scrub locations to others before they are lost forever.

[wheels]

Wonderful captures.
Everything is in great detail...feathers, description, **** ......

[Garion]

Excellent shots with great descriptions too. Agree with you that the last pose is the best (tho it had just finished crapping). Thanks for sharing!

[Harlequin]

Very familiar birdie ! Heh heh...

Good to know its still there despite the ever changing landscape there.

Too bad I can't join in due to work commitments.

Good shots there !

[skfoo]

Thank you all for the kind words and comments. I am glad you like the commentaries and images.

[skfoo]

Originally Posted by Jeff Very informative indeed. BTW, I can't help but compared ur shots to Peng Eik’s. His shots appear more evenly tone whilst ur shots show a lot of contrasty areas. Has it got to do with the post processing preference here? Thanks.

Yes. They are due to differences in post processing methods .

[skfoo]

Originally Posted by 2100 Great as usual SK. Don't think the sh-it pic is unrefined. Poo shoot out! (Be patient, takes a while to load) http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/wildw...=hc&picnumb=24 This reminds me, must get the nature mag you recommended tomorrow. Hope Times Bkshop has it.

That's a cute shot to remind photographers not to be too close to the butt.

[skfoo]

Originally Posted by joeyao As usual, your pics are inspiring. I just hope this BB was not taken in a scrub, if it was we may never see it again because the scrub will be transformed into HDB flats, industrial estates or expressways within a short time frame. Since taking up bird photography, I have been searching the street directory for potential scrubs and I am sad to note that most of them are earmarked for development. Recently I came across a bird sanctuary in Marina East indicated in the street directory but when I went there, what I encountered were contruction works being carried out and the scrub has all but disappeared. I know this is sensitive, but I hope fellow bird photographers can share their scrub locations to others before they are lost forever.

At the rate that decisions are made on land usage now a days , I fear we may not be able to safekeep these NATURAL HERITAGE for our future generations. (And in this information age, I will not be surprised that there are still people who thinks that keeping certain nature reserves is the answer to safekeeping of Singapore natural heritage. For these people, I will ask them what does ecosystem mean to you?)

I came across an article on "Singapore Green Plan Endangered" through the internet. If I may share the writer's concluding remarks, he said " I am not against development. We should balance our material needs with our needs for a nurturing natural environment. Right now, the scale is alarmingly lopsided. We should not be blinkered and think that any land not put to economic use is wasted. We should recognise and respect the fact that more and more Singpaoreans are appreciating the values of our natural heritage. One can convert Nature Areas into big money earners by developing them, but one cannot convert the money back into Nature Areas.

Conservation of our natural heritage not only nurture important values for us, but is also a real measure of our concern for future generations. Let us bequeath land banks and natural resources
inviolate for their land-use options. Let us not allow unbridled materialism to overwhelm what is left of our shrinking open landscape and nature places. What would our precious homes be if on opening our windows we can only see a sea of concrete?"

[Avatar]

Good work pal, the details in them are simply amazing.

[skfoo]

Originally Posted by Avatar Good work pal, the details in them are simply amazing.

Thanks!