The resplendent Victoria's Riflebird in mating display- Far Nth QLD. Pt 1.

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marc

marc

Well-known member
Member's gallery
The mating/display season for the Riflebird has just finished and I grabbed the opportunity to shoot these extraordinary birds
a few weeks ago from a hide and despite having my 180-400 & Z 400 f/4.5 w/tc's on tap, ironically the majority of better opportunities came my way
with the ever reliable Z 70-200. They will choose a relatively open area and broken tree stump/high point to start their performance.
The males were competing for the attention of the females and at times the juveniles crowded out the scene with
their futile practicing antics!............very comical. :LOL:
With their habitat being highland tropical rainforest, often the best displays were not in favourable light nor optimal backgrounds. :unsure:

Atherton Tablelands- Far Nth QLD.



The magnificent Victoria's Riflebird caught in display with his best Turkish dancer's "whirling dervish".

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/2.8
1/320s (lucky to get away with such a low S/S)
-.67 EV
ISO7200@ 200mm


Z9B_6513aBPN.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.





@ times their display turns to a liftoff !

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 400 f/4.5
f/4.5
1/1000s
-2.0 EV
ISO 7200

Z9B_5136aBPN.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.





Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/5.6
1/10000s
-1.33 EV
ISO10000@ 130mm


Z9B_4383BPN.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.






Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/4
1/250s
-.33 EV
ISO12800@ 200mm


Z9B_3611aBPN.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.





Here the male is warning off a rival adult male.

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/5.6
1/10000s
-1.33 EV
ISO10000@ 130mm

Z9B_4307BPN.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.


Cheers
Marc
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
marc said:
The mating/display season for the Riflebird has just finished and I grabbed the opportunity to shoot these extraordinary birds
a few weeks ago from a hide and despite having my 180-400 & Z 400 f/4.5 w/tc's on tap, ironically the majority of better opportunities came my way
with the ever reliable Z 70-200. They will choose a relatively open area and broken tree stump/high point to start their performance.
The males were competing for the attention of the females and at times the juveniles crowded out the scene with
their futile practicing antics!............very comical. :LOL:
With their habitat being highland tropical rainforest, often the best displays were not in favourable light nor optimal backgrounds. :unsure:

Atherton Tablelands- Far Nth QLD.



The magnificent Victoria's Riflebird caught in display with his best Turkish dancer's "whirling dervish".

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/2.8
1/320s (lucky to get away with such a low S/S)
-.67 EV
ISO7200@ 200mm


View attachment 46083




@ times their display turns to a liftoff !

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 400 f/4.5
f/4.5
1/1000s
-2.0 EV
ISO 7200@ 400

View attachment 46084




Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/5.6
1/10000s
-1.33 EV
ISO10000@ 130mm


View attachment 46085





Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/4
1/250s
-.33 EV
ISO12800@ 200mm


View attachment 46086




Here the male is warning off a rival adult male.

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/5.6
1/10000s
-1.33 EV
ISO10000@ 130mm

View attachment 46087

Cheers
Marc
Click to expand...
Marc, Awesome series👍👍👍
 
Member's gallery
Very nice series, Marc.
I've never seen these showcased in a still photography forum. I've only seen a video by David Attenborough once where he showed these birds.
Kudos to you for these images. (y)
 
Might just be my small screen, but I am picking up zero detail in the body, cool what I do see.
 
Member's gallery
bleirer said:
Might just be my small screen, but I am picking up zero detail in the body, cool what I do see.
Click to expand...
At certain angles you're correct, the upper chest blacks lack any detail, not the Z9's fault, more the nature of poor lighting and the flat low sheen on the chest.
Flash most likely may have revealed more detail, but never keen to use it.
 
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