Green Bee Eaters

Green Bee Eaters, Nainital District, N India

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + x2 converter
400ASA. F9

To say I was lucky getting this pair is an understatement, as they came and perched upon the stone right outside my open car window.

I nearly fell out of the car trying to retrieve the camera from the back seat and bringing it SLOWLY to bear out of the window.

I feel sure that if practised habitually, being fast and slow at the same same is guarenteed to bring on an attack of something undesirable so I plan to avoid it in future.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Stone Curlew, NE India

Stone Curlew [Thicknee], Nainital District, N India.

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + x2 converter
400ASA. F9

In the winter dry season of N India, many sandy and stone river beds are dry, perfect
environments for the Stone Curlew which loves arid places with good all round visibility.

Although active in th day, these birds love to feed in the twilight zones when the large
light gathering eyes come into their own.

Wary and easily put to flight, my approach to these birds across open ground was slow and indirect, being under observation at all times.

The clicking of the camera finally un-nerved them and they retired into thin cover adjacent the river bed.

I am well pleased with this converter and prime lens combination providing F9 or smaller is obtainable in the prevailing light conditions.

Copyright: Kevin Smith