the effect of light angles on certain types of feathers

[terryger]

paul brought up a good point on which flycatcher we had. light can make all the difference just as location can. then how do we know the 2 different colored birds are actually 2 different varieties?

many birds of the same breed and variety still have different colors.

then we have light. as in the hummingbirds the gorgets and in the case of the allens the entire head wil glow a very deep red when in the correct light and black a second later.

in these photos you wil see the same mallard duck taken by my pond with in the span of less than a minute and the second only 6 feet from where the first was taken.

but differnt light.

notice the blue wing patch. it was also blue in my viewfinder on both shots so my eye registered one color and the camera lens another.

interesting!

[paulnj]

Great example of how light changes the appearance of feathers in some species of birds.

[Ronnoco]

What caused the fuzzy focus for both ducks?

Ronnoco

[mjs1973]

Very good example!!! Here is another example of how light can change the apearance of feathers, along with a good explanation.

[Loupey]

Cool example, Terryger! Certain species of fish have this ability as well (although not with feathers )

I bet forgetting to take off a polarizer filter would create some unexpected results as well.