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| A Couple of Bee-Eaters |
I'm constantly mesmerized by the amazing European Bee-Eaters that are in Israel this time of year. Definitely one of the most beautiful bird species in existence, with graceful flight abilities and incredible dexterity as they catch insects in flight.
This photo shows a couple (they mate for life, returning to the same nest they dig year after year), with one of them just taking off. The full spread of the wings is so beautiful its hard to believe.
What do I like about this photo? The incredible pose, with the full wing spread, and the wonderful colors. There's a huge amount of details there, with the Bee-Eater taking off being totally in focus.
I used a fast shutter speed (1/2500 of a second) to freeze the action, so the full wings are sharp. The color contrast between the birds and the background really makes them stand out. The light sparkle in the eye adds to the photo, as well.
What would I want to improve? The background is very noisy. The birds still stand out, but the photo would be much more impressive with a cleaner background.