VIEWFINDER TO THE WORLD OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY


Thursday, December 30, 2010

GREEN BEE-EATER....!! with kill....!! GREATER RANN OF KUTCH, GUJRATH,


I was observing this Bird for some time and it was around evening...there was a feeding frenzy. This Green Bee-eater managed to catch a Butterfy in mid-air and had it devoured in 2 seconds...I managed to get almost 20 frames of the entire sequence of action...Thanks to my 1d Mk 4...and its Fps...

YELLOW WATTLE LAPWING...GREATER RANN OF KUTCH, GUJRATH....!!


Yellow wattle lapwing Photographed at Greater Rann of Kutch...On the way to Naliya Grass lands..

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2011...!!


Looking ahead to a wonderful 2011...It was a hectic 2010 for me covering distances do quality wildlife photography. I also succeeded in adding a professional line of equipment in CANON 300 F 2.8 & CANON 1D Mark 4 Body.
Looking forward to make steady stride in bringing to you all quality pictures on to your desktops.

Keep checking out the updates.

Regards
Prakash Subbanna.

Monday, December 27, 2010

RANN OF KUTCH ...!!


WILD ASS...Mammal found only in LRK....they roam the vast expanse of dried salt-bed desert. It is difficult to approach them as they are very shy and can run at great speeds. They can be seen as white moving spots in vast expanse of the plains. Photographing them is a challenge due to Thermal currents of  the terrain . Achieving focus can be a concern...Mirrage or false waster presence is another challenge. Here in this pic. its not water but, Mirage seen the background. All in all its a beautiful animal to watch.


NEEL GHAI... This part of the desert also has some greenpatch. Where these mammals thrive by eating grass. As usual they maintain a very large distance of at least 100mts..



SHORT EARED OWL...This Owl is beautifully adapted to the terrain...It hides in bushes to take shelter from heat and cold nights. It preys on small bush birds like Larks and Warblers. Very difficult to spot as they are almost the same color of the terrain. Very shy as they are not used to human presence.


MERLIN...This is a rear find...and difficult to get it on a perch....I found it with a Kill and I took some time to approach cautiously approach to get as close as possible...this time it was 50mts before it flew off....


All in all photographing these birds and mammals is a difficult proposition... Thye pose a great challenge by having amost the same color of the terrain, they are very shy and does not allow you any way near to you longest focal length lens...Getting proper focus due to thermals from ground is a challenge...

LRK, GRK, JAMNAGAR...BIRDING AND WILDLIFE TRIP...!!!

 Just returned from a wildlife centric trip to LESSER RANN OF KUTCH (LRK), GREATER RANN OF KUTCH (GRK), AND JAMNAGAR...Had many memorable wildlife moments...to be remembered for my lifetime...!!!!!

I shall be sharing the pictures and my experience shortly...Keep checking the Blog and look out for updates.

Regards.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

JUNGLE FOWL....YALA, SRILANKA...!!


JUNGLE FOWL.. in Srilanka is unique and different from one found in our country...This picture was made on of our our early morning stint at the Yala Wildlife Reserve...Just after the Sunrise...they were pecking for food...Generally shy and they run-away and difficult to get in open... Notable difference is on the CROWN...its got a yellow middle patch..

Friday, December 10, 2010

BLUE TAILED BEE-EATER...PAIR...YALA, SRILANKA....!!


Very beautiful Bird...The name derives from a prominent blue tail it has. Found in shrub forest. It was nice to watch them in action catching insects in mid-air.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

BROWN FISHOWL...YALA, SRILANKA...!!!


Little difficult to spot among the woods in the forest...Beautifully adapted with large eyes for Nocturnal activities.

MONITOR LIZARD....!! YALA, SRILANKA...!!


Yala Srilanka is known for monitor lizards....I did see then as small as 6inches and as large as 6 foot in length. Scavenging the forest floors for food and they laze on rocks soaking up Sunshine for hours on end.

GREEN BEE-EATER....!! YALA SRILANKA...!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE....SRILANKA...!!


CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE...fiery eyes...and a sharp, strong beak is a very beautiful bird. It is identified by the the crest feather on its head. This picture was shot at YALA , SRILANKA...They feel on small Monitor lizards which are found plenty in Srilanka.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

LEOPARD....YALA, SRILANKA.....!!


In continuation of my trip to YALA WILDLIFE RESERVE, SRILANKA...Here is one of my favorite Cat Pic.
As we were driving up in a safari jeep early morning...near a tankbund we came across this majestic female walking right in front of us...I just grabbed my camera to shoot the entire sequence of her CAT-WALK... it lasted for about 30 sec and she disappeared into the bushes. She was on a fast trot...looks like she was hungry.

It took some time for me to sink in that we were the only guys to have seen this CAT..and captured the moment in its entirety...

More pictures to follow with more stories.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

SIRLANKA....YALA WILDLIFE RESERVE...!!!


Just returned from a 7 day wildlife - leopard centric tour of Srilanka. I visited the YALA..wildlife reserve. Situated on the South East tip of the Island. Its a Shrub Jungle with beautiful rocky landscape opening towards the Ocean of south Srilanka. Almost a lagoon and at sea level it is a perfect habitat for Leopards.

A 10 safari ride into the forest resulted in 6 sighting of Leopard..All in all a different experience which I enjoyed to maximum and tried to bring home some my most memorable sightings.

So here is a teaser...and more pictures to follow....

Thursday, November 18, 2010

REFLECTIONS OF A PELICAN...!!


The Early morning winter weather was perfect to capture this winged beauty and its reflection.

SOME MORE PICTURES... PHOTO-WORKSHOP...!!







Once again VIEWFINDER would like to thank all the Participants of the photo-workshop . Looking forward to meet you again.

Monday, November 15, 2010

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP....!! A REPORT.

A successful photography workshop got concluded over last weekend at Rayal Comfort Hotel 4th block Jayanagar.. It was well attended. It was in two session. Theory on the 13th Nov. and Field experience on 14th morning at Lalbagh. Few could not make it to the field session due to personal reasons.

It was happy to note that the participants were confidant in handling their equipment and trying out different setting on the mode dial of their cam....Under different lighting conditions.

At the end of the session that they are out of the AUTO MODE...and willing to explore.




This was the AIM of the workshop and the testimonials speak for it.

SPOT-BILLED PELICAN...!!


Spot-billed Pelicans are gracing lakes in Bangalore. They are absolutely adorable Birds, very graceful as they swim or in flight.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

BARN SWALLOW...!!


Barn Swallows are cute little bird usually in groups. Very fast mover and agile.

Monday, November 8, 2010

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP....!!


Owners of Digital camera make the best use of the opportunity...

Contact: prakash.subbanna@gmail.com/98451-77521.

I DON"T LIKE IT RAINING...!!



Mixed weather on the early morning Boat ride on the Back Waters of Kabini Wildlife reserve. It was a light drizzle, overcast and spurt of Sunshine. Lovely Bird activity and Subdued lighting. It was challenge to photography due to low light and Hi-ISO settings...and a rocking boat...Not to forget the hand held beast of 300/f2.8. Here is a pic. of JUVENILE HERON battling the drizzle.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

PEREGRINE FALCON...!!


Majestic winter migratory....photographed in the backwaters of Kabini...Photographing this bird from a Rocking boat was a challenge...Just hand enough time to click before it took off...I have some pic. in flight too..

Monday, November 1, 2010

LEOPARD AT KABINI....!!!


My second trip to KABINI WILDLIFE within 20 days of the previous....I was rewarded by this spotted beauty. Hours of waiting at the sameplace, aching hands and legs....this guys showed up just for about 30sec. and disappeared. At the end its was a sense of satisfaction and grin on the face to have seen this elusive cat.

Monday, October 25, 2010

WILD DOG YAWN....!!


Look at the set of Canines. They are built to tear in to the flesh of a Kill...!!!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

ALERT...!!


Spotted Deers are very alert for the slightest movement and sounds. They survive the forest by their acute senses.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

INDIAN WILD DOG...!!


Indian Wild Dogs ...shot during my recent visit to Kabinin Wildlife Reserve.... Strategic hunter...hunts in groups by cornering the prey...Size of a normal pet Dog...and has a busy tail.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Crested Serpent Eagle...!!


Perched on Tree, it always has a sharp eye for its prey...This shot was made at Kabini Willd life reserve.

Monday, October 4, 2010

SPOTBILLED PELICAN...!!


I call it a Jumbo Jet of Birds....In flight they just look like Boeing 747...Majestic in flight ...and beautiful to look up close..

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

ROSE RING PARAKEET....!!


This bird is the favorite for all ages of Mankind...and has been domesticated extensively...In wild they are simply superb to look at.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

SKY IS THE LIMIT...!!


I always wonder what if I could fly like a bird and swim like a fish ....being a human. This is a Brahminy Kite in the evening light...showing its brilliant underside.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

FISHING DISPLAY OF DARTER...!!


Darter in action...What a display of its catch...!!! One of the best I have seen and photographed so far..

Thursday, September 16, 2010

TRULY PAINTED.....!!


Its just amazing as to how these birds get their colors in so many shades and are really trend setting...A lesson or two for fashion freaks.

Monday, August 30, 2010

RUFOS TREEPIE...!!



Found in  open wooded ,Gardens with tree and bushes.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

JUST WHITE...!!



Young ones of the Large Egret, barely able to stand on its feet on the wobbly twigs flap their wings to crave the attention of their parents for their ever prevalent hunger pangs.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

AMONG ELDERS..!!!

These little ones of the spotted Deer is well guarded by elders from the omnipresent dangers of the predators.

Friday, August 20, 2010

GREAT TIT...!!



Great Tit, a hyper bird, mostly bush dweller, feeds on insects. Its size is max about 3-4 inches...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

REFLECTION OF A GBH....!!



Reflection of a Great blue Heron in evening light...They measure about three feet in height fully grown...