May 2023 – Pelican Yoga

“From behind” (#10 in single-image series: heron, hunting)

Published May 31, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#10 in single-image series: heron, hunting)

A heron (or egret) in hunting mode delivers a fascinating, repeating sequence of events.

For unpredictably short or long periods the heron is a study in concentration and stillness, until that stillness is suddenly shattered by the bird’s speargun-like attack.

The prey – usually a small fish, crustacean, mollusc, amphibian or insect – is swallowed, rapidly.

The sequence then repeats…

For obvious reasons, a photographer cannot “capture” this behaviour from a very close vantage point, directly in front of the heron’s beak/“speargun”.

However, one can sometimes get surprisingly close, “from behind”.

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“From behind” (#9 in single-image series: relaxed giraffes)

Published May 30, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#9 in single-image series: relaxed giraffes)

For a giraffe, drinking is as necessary as it is for any other mammal.

The very act of positioning oneself to make drinking physically possible is, however, an enormously more delicate, demanding task for a giraffe than for other mammals.

Giraffes’ approach to a waterhole is always slow, tentative, hesitant…and in a group.

Anxiety and hyper vigilance are especially evident at the crucial moment when a giraffe has to decide that it is now “safe” – or not – to get into drinking position.

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“From behind” (#8 in single-image series: watching the birdwatchers)

Published May 29, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#8 in single-image series: watching the birdwatchers)

I took this photo in the latter part of an amazing three hours, which had begun shortly before sunrise, well within Jamnagar’s city limits.

Jamnagar, in western India, is a whisker inland from the Arabian Sea, in Gujarat.

Nearby is what bills itself as the world’s largest petrochemical plant.

You can’t see any feathers in this photo, but its humans are watching and/or photographing birds – water birds of many species, in profusion…all thriving in a far from pristine, definitely-urban wetland.

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“From behind” (#7 in single-image series: Pacific black duck)

Published May 28, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#7 in single-image series: Pacific black duck)

Many birds can swivel their heads across a much greater arc than we humans can.

This is good news for bird photographers; a “from behind” image does not always lack the relevant bird’s watchful gaze…

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“From behind” (#6 in single-image series; Superb Fairy-wren)

Published May 27, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#6 in single-image series; Superb Fairy-wren)

Superb Fairy-wrens and Splendid Fairy-wrens both deserve their names.

The former – Malurus cyaneus, pictured above – is the “Blue-wren” most familiar to humans who reside in Australia’s southeast.

The latter – Malurus splendens – is the Blue-wren most commonly seen in Australia’s southwest.

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“From behind” (#5 in single-image series: Madagascan barber)

Published May 26, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#5 in single-image series: Madagascan barber)

Antananarivo – often abbreviated to “Tana” – is the very congested capital city, and major metropolis, in one of the world’s most materially poor nations.

Many of its “entrepreneurial” residents cannot afford to buy or rent a walled and/or roofed structure in which to ply their trade.

This post’s street-working barber lacked anything remotely resembling his own “salon”, but his professional expertise and “service, with a smile” attitude were readily apparent.

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“From behind” (#4 in single-image series: a Madagascan gecko)

Published May 25, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#4 in single-image series: a Madagascan gecko)

Most gecko species are nocturnal.

The 50+ known species in the genus Phelsuma are an exception, as per their common name: day geckos.

If you are lucky enough to see a day gecko, you will be able to see it under natural light.

For most of these mostly very colourful species, if you wish to see them in the wild, you will have to visit Madagascar…

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“From behind” (#3 in single-image series: demoiselle cranes)

Published May 24, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#3 in single-image series: demoiselle cranes)

Photographically speaking, birds on the wing are – in equal measure – irresistible, humbling and frustrating.

Their irresistible/frustrating aspect is especially apparent when a photographer attempts to capture/convey how a bird launches itself into the air, or returns to earth/tree-branch/rooftop/ledge/water’s surface…

“Successful results” are guaranteed to be rare events, and one’s “successes” usually prove “qualified” rather than “total”.

This post’s image is one such qualified success…

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“From behind” (#2 in single-image series: switched-on monk)

Published May 23, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#2 in single-image series: switched-on monk)

This post’s subtitle owes an apology to Wendy Carlos.

(Wendy, who was originally named Walter, is most famous for her 1968 LP “Switched-on Bach”).

This post includes a musical bonus; like the featured image, it involves Tibetan Buddhism…but not J.S. Bach.

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“From behind” (#1 in single-image series)

Published May 22, 2023 by Pelidoug

“From behind” (#1 in single-image series)

General rule, when photographing animals, humans included:

ensure that their eyes are fully visible, in sharp focus, and looking at “you”, the viewer.

As is true of so many “rules”, this one is worth knowing.

Generally, it is a good idea to abide by it…but sometimes, the better idea is to break it…

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Month: May 2023