The Vampires Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Vampires

Today’s posting is all about an event that occurs daily and because I live under the bats flying path I do watch it very often from the veranda of my house. Everyday, at sunset time and for about 10 to 15 minutes hundreds, if not thousands, of bats come out from the nearby botanic gardens. They leave the trees where they spent the day and go around the land in search of food. They are fruit bats (or flying foxes) and unfortunately my guava tree, which is on fruit right now, is one of their targets.

ISO: 1600

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Critiques | Translate

bakes888 (18295) 2009-03-04 21:45

Hi Antonio. I have a similar problem with possums in my peach tree. Nice catch, good colours and strong silhouettes. Nicely balanced composition also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

phwall (5691) 2009-03-04 21:59

Hi Antonio,
I love the stylization of the capture, the dramatic purple look for the sky enhances your title very well.
Ha, you have bats, I have bandicoots, bloody little critters dig holes in everything, garden beds, lawns, vege patch anywhere they can find worms. Lucky they are a protected species otherwise they'd be in big trouble.
Good shot, you've captured each of the bats with different positions of their wings in flight.
Cheers
Peter

BelCan75 (2420) 2009-03-04 22:27

Hello Antonio,

Interesting shot with a beautiful coloured sky and wonderful silhouettes against this sky. Great work! Too bad they're eating at your yummy guava tree!

Greetings,
Ann

AiresSantos (42624) 2009-03-04 22:50

Ola Antonio
Uma composicao excelente em grande formato. Gosto muito do enquadramento e dos tons. Para 1600 ISO, esta magnifica em termos de ruido.
Um abraco Amigo
Aires

rginer (572) 2009-03-04 23:20 [Comment]

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riclopes (33107) 2009-03-04 23:43

wow, verdadeiramente impressionante, António. Eu até diria que aumentaste o tamanho deles em photoshop :) E pensar que um dia a nossa gata apanhou um morceguito na nossa varanda do tamanho de um dedo e ficámos todos excitados. A Ana adora morcegos e iria ficar deliciada em viver onde vives. O WS2 é absolutamente incrível! Até já devias ter postado isto há muito mais tempo...
ric

vincz (19043) 2009-03-04 23:53

i love these bats, they rember me so many trips. You caught them in a nice way with beautiful colours in the sky. Great work on silhouettes.

jonathan_hart (22580) 2009-03-05 0:16

amazing document with the bonus photos,
this one is the most artistic with this unique hue and the silhouette of the few vampires to balance with the top of the palm-tree
regards
jc

edytungkal (4519) 2009-03-05 0:32

Honestly the colours on your ws (bat of sunset) is more beauty than this, if not because of the wires i suggest the ws as main post. And this still a good one Antonio, maybe just dont have any strong focal point. Like JC said, this a very well documentary shots and of course i learn alot about your message. Thanks

daniel

papagolf21 (56533) 2009-03-05 0:52

Bonjour, cher ami Antonio,
Rentre ! C'est le moment où la lune réveille le vampire blafard sur sa couche vermeille.
[Théophile Gautier]
Il est vrai que ces photographies font froid dans le dos ! Ces chauves-souris en plein vol sur un fond de ciel rose sont impressionnantes.
Moment décisif avec une belle réactivité.
Amitiés.
Philippe

tempocativo (439) 2009-03-05 1:11

Olá António, bela fotografia com os morcegos. Realmente deve ser uma visão muito bela verificares essa correria com os morcegos quando o sol se está a pôr. Pois, como não há bela sem senão, lá se vão as frutas das tuas árvores. :-(
De qualquer forma olha para o lado positivo, tens uma visão que muitos de nós não têm...
Abraço

rikko77 (6374) 2009-03-05 1:14

Hi Antonio!
Beautiful capture, very well done in ISO 1600 with low noise. The note is very interesting and you're lucky enough to live on bat's flying path.
TFS
Regards
Rikk

Lay (26) 2009-03-05 1:32

Olá António,
Muito bonita a sua fotografia, gosto das cores, embora não goste de morcegos gosto destes, aqui voando num céu lilás, gosto do enquadramemyo, bonita composição.
Obrigado por nos mostrar.
Lay.

kschanna (6) 2009-03-05 2:51

Hello Antonio

I love the purplish sky and the dark silhouettes against it. For some reason it reminds me of the movie 'Birds'.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran

michelloupis (0) 2009-03-05 3:38

Viva António,

Adoro a composição. Está fantástica. Fez-me lembrar S. Tomé e Príncipe. Estão bellíssimas as formas dos morcegos a sobrevoar a palmeira. O céu está também muito bom.

Tenho algumas dúvidas sobre o filtro. Parece-me que a opção em b&w talvez não fosse má. Mas posso estar errado.

Agora, aquilo que realmente me parece não favorecer em nada esta foto magnífica é o teu nome na moldura.

Um abraço

Nuno

CLODO (4473) 2009-03-05 8:16

Good and unbelievable shot with a diagonal composition, and a silhouettes contrasting with the blue/pink sky.
All the best
CLODO

BennyV (4835) 2009-03-05 8:51

Release the bats, the bats!!!

Great capture against a wonderful sky and with a lovely silhouetted tree, their target? I've seen quite a lot of these creatures in South-East Asia and always found them impressive...though it's not a good idea to sit out with a beer and try to relax when they're flying overhead. Don't ask...

Benny

avene (11076) 2009-03-05 13:38

hi Antonio,
because of the fantasy novels by Terry Pratchett and his photography-obsessed vampire Otto I have a soft spot for vampires :)
love the shot, others have already remarked on the somewhat abstract and minimalistic composition and dramatic purple of the sky, I can only agree that the result is fascinating.

best,
Kristine

ahmetgedikli (22032) 2009-03-05 15:02

Hi Antonio,
Beautiful scene with wonderful color tones and good silhouettes.
Best wishes.
Ahmet

brevbrev14 (372) 2009-03-05 15:19

Hi Antonio, unusual tones and crop, i like the composition abd the result
ciao!
Valeria

bostankorkulugu (33830) 2009-03-05 15:42

looks like a scene from a dracula movie for sure... well cought and presented antonio... loved the colour...

Didi (36318) 2009-03-05 16:07

Hi Antonio
Terrific picture, the vampires look giant.
The composition is very nice and dramatic of course.
The bats are smaller in France.
Best regards.

bucanas (2209) 2009-03-05 16:52

Ola Antonio,
Parecem ser bem grandes,aqui em Angra sao bem menores.
Tenho um noturno que pesca peixes com voos rasantes
Boa captura e bom trabalho.
Abracos,
Ralf

Veja no TN uma foto. http://www.treknature.com/viewphotos.php?l=3&p=140467

:

delpeoples (6471) 2009-03-06 1:21

Aw Wow Antonio, not only is this briliantly composed, but your choice of subject is so unquie. The colours of sunset are stunning and I love the bats in sillhouette. Square framing adds interest too. Congrats, Lisa.

ChrisJ (70373) 2009-03-06 1:54

Ola Antonio

A good capture of the flying foxes, with wonderful graphism & good colour & sharpness. The silhouetted palm adds good depth. Tfs!

dcawker (5691) 2009-03-06 5:35

Excllent title, colors, and composition here.. Very nice work!! Regards, Doug

jmdias (19649) 2009-03-06 7:05

antonio

assisti a um programa de tv mostrando estes animais há cerca de uma semana. não, eles não são vampiros, os vampiros são daqui da minha terra, meu pai teve que matá-los com vampiricida pois estavam atacando as vacas de uma propriedade que ele possuía aqui mesmo em nossa terra, eles viviam dentro de um bueiro.aqui a imagem está maravilhosa, com a cor púrpuira muito bela e a silueta dos animais voando junto a silueta do coqueiro. bela composição.
por aqui faz hoje um calor insuportável, a semana toda entre 30 e 34 graus.

abraços

jorge

gracious (20017) 2009-03-06 8:52

Ola Antonio,
Take care on your guava tree from these bats!
nice catch on them on their path over the beautiful colour in the evening time! the palm makes a nice silhouette on the composition
have a great weekend, my friend
regards
tony

plimrn (19688) 2009-03-06 9:48

Bom Dia Antonio,
Everything is so true about this picture!! I love the sky color and the detail of the bats is outstanding. I vastly prefer this on to the WS which is a brighter sunset, but lacks the important detail in the bats. I think learning about the world is more important than flashy colors. In the WS with the sleeping bats, I counted 513!!
SAA, Pat

Jardim (3197) 2009-03-06 10:46

Olá António,

A cor do céu tem umas tonalidades e texturas que criam um fundo bonito. Os morcegos são mesmo grandes! A composição no seu todo está muito boa.

JJ

chrisnet (20376) 2009-03-06 11:31

Hi Antonio,
Good capture of theses "vampires" in this beautiful sky, the framing is well done with the top of the palm, good work.
Regards
Christian

diomed (4431) 2009-03-06 14:40

Wow, Antonio,
very difficult and decisive capture: the vampires!
I like also the sky and the palm tree on backlight.
Congratulations!
Nice evening
Antonio

isa (1964) 2009-03-06 16:30

Olá António!
Soberba imagem!, tão bela como "assustadora".
Fantastico momento, muito bem captado, lindas tonalidades e o tamanho dos morcegos, fantástico!
Parabéns e

Bom fim de semana,
Isa

dvlazar (6488) 2009-03-06 16:36

Nice shot of the bats of SE QLD - artistic framing having them minimally dotting the frame on the left.
Good pink colors (even if probably enhanced!).
Cheers,
DAve

Docarmo (8844) 2009-03-06 17:24

Olá António,
Bela tomada, nunca tinha pensado como a silhueta de uma palmeira pode combinar tão bem com as silhuetas de morcegos em revoada. Na melhor das impressões, parecem pedaços da palmeira que saíram a voar, acompanhando o movimento das nuvens, nesse estranho movimento diagonal. Digo na melhor das impressões, porque tenho pavor de morcegos... Ainda mais enormes como estes. Em frente à nossa casa no Brasil, uma árvore frutífera também atrai morcegos que, apesar de menores que estes, metem-me medo. Prefiro nem imaginar estes aí por perto ;-)
Abraço,
MCV

emjleclercq (14414) 2009-03-06 22:56

Very nice color, and the bats silhouettes are very well shaped. Although these fruits bats does not deserve to be called vampires, I agree that the purple color was tempting here (at least it was not "blood red"!).

All the best,

Emmanuel

emka (22009) 2009-03-06 23:43

Hi Antonio,
impressive photo. The bats on this dramatic purple sky look terrific. The one in the upper part is big! Aren't you afraid of them? I would be scared....

warm regards

Malgorzata

gildasjan (24013) 2009-03-07 0:48

Bonjour Antonio
Très impressionnantes ces chauve-souris sous ce ciel à dominante presque inquiétante.Une atmosphère est crée dans cette image.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

windosil (806) 2009-03-07 3:58

Really scary, Antonio!
A beautiful picture, good composition with line of bats and tree at right angles to trend of clouds.
Best wishes,
Winifred

parbo (11004) 2009-03-07 11:21

Olá Antonio,

He, he. So you are on the way of greengrocer instead of harvesting your own guavas.

Your timing is excellent as same the quality of your captures under difficult light conditions. The purple painted sky, silhouettes of bats and trees are just amazing. Perfect additions of complementary posts. Have a nice weekend.

Parabéns e Abraço!

Ertugrul

Colombiana (2544) 2009-03-07 14:41

This is wonderful Antonio! The purple sky and the silhouette of the bats create a real "Vampiresque" atmosphere. Vert beautiful composition and capture!

Maryori

leo61 (43476) 2009-03-08 0:00

Hi Antonio!
Excellent!
The bats and this palmtree are at perfect position and the pink/purple sky looks great.The square format was a good choice,imo.
Regards,leo

josepmarin (33955) 2009-03-08 5:44

Olá António,
estos grandes murciélagos dan un toque de película de terror a tu foto.... Sus siluetas inquietantes se destacan con claridad sobre un cielo púrpura muy bonito, y la copa de la palmera añade un toque muy interesante y una buena referencia.
Bien hecha, con buena luz y unos tonos muy bellos.
Un abrazo,
Josep

marietom (32058) 2009-03-08 8:19

hello Antonio,

magnifique composition, avec ces silhouettes d'oiseaux. Les couleurs sont très belles.
Bon dimanche
Marie

archimatica (13290) 2009-03-08 8:46

Hi Antonio.
Amazing shot with great colors and a disturbing presence in flight...
Cheers, Renzo

gunbud (28069) 2009-03-08 9:03

Hi Antonio,
Great nature shot of these icons of many Dracula movies against the brilliantl pin sky.
The lovely guava tree makes an excellent lead-in to this beautiful end of day scene.
Regards, Tom

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-03-08 18:16

Hello Antonio
wonderful bat scene here in a good mood of a capture. Well framed and them colours are gorgeous. You have frozen the bats well here in mid flight.
Regards
Jim

siamesa (13120) 2009-03-09 0:47

Olá Antonio

Magnífica essa foto. Apesar de eu ter pavor de morcegos, vendo-os assim de longe é uma imagem interessante.Acho que a figura lendária dos vampiros da Transilvânia cria esse pavor infantil que perdura por todo o tempo.
Abraços
Maria

azaf1 (15547) 2009-03-09 3:03

Eventhough the title and the dark shapes are really frightening, somehow the way you have presented it with the bg color and the square frame it takes on a rather artistic element. I think it's very nice and welcome to the eyes.

My compliments, dear Antonio, and TFS
Argiris

TopGeo (22027) 2009-03-09 5:37

Hi Antonio,Picture that you you often see. The colour impresses Good title wss and frame
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Georgios

Greg1949 (8511) 2009-03-09 7:03

Antonio, I am not sure why I passed on this one when you posted it, it is fantastic. The workshops and link are awesome and when I think of the difficulty of shooting a moving small object is failing light I come to appreciate that quality of the shots. Color and detail are superb, you have made a great presentation out of these.

Greg

syd1946 (17945) 2009-03-09 11:42

Hello Antonio,
This photo deserved at least a hundred of points!Minimal feeling but maximal atmosphere.For sure a rare photo and moment, thanks for sharing it with us...

best wishes,
Thomas

belido (16691) 2009-03-09 13:21

Olá António,

difícil capturar esses caras. Andam sempre escondigos, como mostra essa foto minha. Gosto da composição como um todo. A inclusão da palmeira me parece essencial e foi muito bem aproveitada por você. Um belo registro!
Abraço,
Carlos

Flavia (10202) 2009-03-10 8:47

Oi Antonio,

Gostei bastante do tratemento de cores que tem tudo a ver com o sujeito. O enquadramento e o formato dao um toque especial. Bela captura.

Abracos,

Flavia

stego (22376) 2009-03-10 10:44

Olá António,
Uma imagem algo tétrica, com esses morcegos enormes (pelo menos por comparação com os que por cá há) nesse céu roxo. A compo está estupenda, com a silhueta da palmeira no canto a equilibrar os bicharocos, que afinal só são terríveis para os frutos.
Um abraço, José.

sacavem (8399) 2009-03-11 5:02

Olá António,

Uma composição muito interessante e oportuna pela partilha.É para isso que o TE também existe.O resto já foi dito. Muito boa nota descritiva e Ws.
Um abraço,
Filipe

nivaldo (13275) 2009-03-11 17:33

Tantos morcegos perto de casa, também os vejo na casa de campo (pequeno sítio) em Gravatá, devido a quantidade de árvores frutíferas nas proximidades.
Bonita composição, Antonio! Gostei do céu violáceo. Um abraço,
do outro lado do mundo,
Nivaldo
RECIFE-PE

MLINES (10920) 2009-03-12 0:19

Hi Antonio, A very appropriate title as it looks like vampires! Good clarity and having several rather than just one is good. Also i like the purply colour in the sky. TFS. Murray.

foozi (4733) 2009-03-12 4:09

Hi Antonio,
a very simple shot with excellent graphical composition. I like the placing at the corners, the top of palm and the group of bats.
The pestel background is very pleasant.

Regards,
Foozi,

ruisc_pt (6207) 2009-03-14 6:37

Um ISO @ 1600 é surpreendentemente fantástico com esta composição e tonalidades.
Um ab
Rui

colinb (1536) 2009-03-15 20:37

Beautiful sky with a nice interesting subject in the bats. I like how you've included a bit of the guava tree to balance the composition. Well done.

Juntas (3458) 2009-03-16 7:19

Olá António. Interessante a vista destes morcegos. Boa composição com a palmeira a equilibrar a imagem e cores bonitas. Well done. Um abraço. Paulo

paura (38906) 2009-03-16 9:38

António,
O resultado gráfico ficou muito bom, até pela viva inclusão das formas dos bichinhos - até parecem querer fazer propagando do filme do batman - bem apresentadas.

Muito boa

Paulo

Cara (2029) 2009-03-16 14:14

Olá António,
Excelente, gostei mesmo das cores e do enquadramento dos morcegos.
Muito boa e definição para os 1600 de ISO, a minha 400D começa a ter mesmo muito grão aos 800...
Continuas a colocar com muita qualidade e a mostrar pormenores interessantes de todo o lado por onde passas, eu ando um bocado afastado com a finalização da construção da moradia não tenho tempo mesmo para nada... é trabalhar para ganhar e depois trabalhar na casa nova para poupar algum... Espero dentro em 2 meses poder voltar ao hobbie :)
Cumprimentos, Daniel

anto95 (1820) 2009-03-21 7:41

Ciao Antonio,
come hai fatto a trovare questo cielo stupendo, cmq fantastica anche la composizione.
Antonello

Wanda1 (11015) 2009-03-23 8:35

Hi Antonio,
Nice the way they are silhouetted against the pink sky and we can make out their jagged bat wings and shape so clearly, there is no mistaking them for birds. The scattred clouds and palm tree are also good elements to the shot.
Regards
Wanda

Bluejeans (32793) 2009-03-29 16:16

Oi amigo,
Que bela foto de natureza com estes morcegos gigantes que só comem fruta , ficou linda as suas silhuetas , gostei muito do céu tem uma bela cor , parabéns!!
Uma abraço Gonçalo

Charo (31677) 2009-04-01 17:25

Olá Antonio,
Um simples e bem composto imagem. Eu adoro a cor do céu e as aves que atravessá-la. Bom trabalho amigo.
Abraços,
Charo

raszid62 (3349) 2009-04-17 8:15

Hello
Not on what day such picture is successful to execute. It requires this large skills and large happiness. Amazing colour of sky. Congratulations.
Joseph

alftrek (2889) 2009-05-04 6:23

Hello Antonio,
Following the link you indicated I had a good look at this photo which really impresses me, especially the colourful sky. It is nice to see their wings stretched in various position, set out in a well composed framing. The silhouette of the palm leaves provides a much needed ground context.

Alfred

sacimar (7552) 2009-05-22 10:40

Hi Antonio,

it must be and interesting spectacle to see them flying around.. good picture, I like the colours and tones of the sunset, the bat silhouettes are impressive, well done!

Have a good weekend!

Sergio

MarcT (21103) 2009-05-31 22:51

Hi Antonio,
Batman would be pleased with your picture ;o)
Nice title, postprocessing and presentation.
Best wishes
Marc

courts (6) 2009-06-09 1:12

Antonio,
I've been enjoying looking through many of your photos; this one caught my eye because the off-centre composition, palm tree and purple sky all work together to evoke a carefree, lazy evening mood. Well done on catching those quick bats in a lovely frame!

Aglaea (34) 2009-06-19 13:32

Hi there Antonio! What an amazing colour on the sky! I also love the silouette of the bats, they really look like the stereotypical "vampire bats". Your post is also really interesting!