Blacksmith Lapwing

[Stu Bowie]

This was taken early morning at the University of Pretoria sports grounds in January. Although slightly past me, the head turn has saved me.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 320mm
1/1250
F/6.3
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand Held

[Richard Pittam]

What a beautiful bird and beautifully photographed.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

A very attractive bird, a real exposure challenge in anything but the softest light.
Agree about the head turn helping.

Might try some subtle shadow work to see if you can bring up some of the darker/shaded areas, if not already done.

Cheers

Randy

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely looking, new bird for me. Nice that you captured this bird in flight and so sharp. In a perfect world, would have liked to see it in lower light with a slightly better angle. That said, however, well done.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Great looking Bird Bhai, loved the eye contact and pose here...

[Greg Basco]

Hi, Stuart. I agree with the others and your own thoughts here. Great job on a tough exposure and good job too catching the head turn.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Stuart , you have done well to get all that detail. Image is nice and sharp and well exposed. The HA has certaily helped bring out the eye, which I find normally gets lost with all that darkness. Just look at the spur on this guy.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the feedback and comments. Always appreciated.

[Jim Crosswell]

Nice flight image Stuart! Good timing on getting the head turned towards you.

[Doug Brown]

Really nice job with your exposure Stuart. Your self assessment is excellent; the head turn saves the image.

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, You did get a nice head turn and the details under the front wing are terrific!:S3:

[Stu Bowie]

Jim, Doug, Denise, thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. Always appreciated.