Bathing Beauties

[ucci]

Maybe sadly lacking in quality but hopefully accetable as a bit of fun action shots? These are rather bedraggled and very wet New Holland Honey Eaters which had dropped by our place to sup on the nectar of a Banksia tree and to then have a quick freshen-up dip afterwards. They are just so active it is hard to get a sharp shot. Their stay is also rather short lived.

[whited3]

1 & 3 are fantastic.

[ucci]

Hi Mark
Thanks for viewing and posting your encouraging comment.
Ken

[gcowan]

Hi Mark,

I think they are great. Just getting the camera out and focussed in time is a major achievement. I really like the last one.
We used to get these little guys but I haven't seen them for ages.
We get the Lewin honey eaters, which I have made some pictures of, but my shots aren't as much fun as these.

Graham

[ucci]

Hi Graham
Thanks for viewing and nice comments.
cheers
Ken

[jiro]

I like the idea of photographing these playful little creatures. This is also a good way to practice composition and action control. Among the shots the 3rd one works for me. Nice work, Ken.

[JohnC]

Looks like number 3 is the winner here - for me too.They look to be real characters ,they're very small.

[jeeperman]

Some fun shots Ken. I like #3 best as well.

[ucci]

Thanks for viewing and taking time to comment Willie. I really appreciate feedback advice from you.
Ken

[ucci]

Hi John
Thanks for viewing. and commenting. They are smallish birds, about the size of a sparrow or a robin red breast.
Ken

[ucci]

Hi Paul
Thanks to taking the time to view and comment. I am surprised that number 3 seemed to work for most. I nearly didn't post it as I have seen so many excellent posts of birds on this site I was concened I would look a bit of a ' Richard Cranium ' in posting this one.
cheers
Ken

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Ken,

Good set of action captures, although I would have preferred them all leveled (by the surface of water/bird bath, not the post).

Good choice of shutter speed though, could I ask what it was? (no EXIF data)

Thanks,

[ucci]

Hi Dave
Sorry about no EXIF data. Not too sure how to include this. Anyway, I used shutter speeds between 1/250 and 1/600, the 1/600 seemingly the best end result. Also had the ISO up at 400. It was an overcast day.
Not too knowledgeable on these matters and was following guidelene advice which I had previously read which you had posted to advise someone else.
Thanks for levelling bit tip. Unfortunately I think the base of the bath is actually perpendicular and the bath it self is sitting on an angle. So, it could be that in correcting one abberration I may be introducing another? The 'wonky' state of the structure is a combination of visiting magpies using said bath interacting with the vagaries of my limited construction skills.
Cheers
Ken