Black Rhino

[ramesh anantharaman]

Canon ID Mk IV, 500 f/4, f/8, 1/320, ISO-800 at 500mm.

Tried this close portrait of this magnificent beast. Some grass on the far ear and at the bottom left hand corner was removed by me.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Besides the fact that getting a close portrait like this will become more and more rare as the poaching surge increases :eek3:, what I like MOST is the awesome placement of the 2 oxpeckers! So unique! :tinysmile_shy_t:
I would back down on sharpening just a tad, since the cracked mud can easily appear 'too crisp' with sharpening applied.

[Pieter de Waal]

Great image of a Black Rhino Ramesh, rare enough but absolutely amazing positioning of the two Oxpeckers. Lovely light, colours and BG.

[Brendon Cremer]

Stunning image, well exposed and the 2 yellow billed oxpeckers add superbly to the image, ditto tone down the sharpening a little, otherwise stunning!:w3

[Hilary Hann]

Ramesh, like the others, those oxpeckers are perfectly placed and I love the comp. Would agree on reducing the sharpening a bit.

[Harshad Barve]

I was waiting for this , what a great evening and Morning we had with Rhinos , Will be waiting for Territory marking male Rhino too :tinysmile_shy_t:
excellent image and oxy make this winner all the way
TFS

[Marc Mol]

Love the stereo Oxpeckers here Ramash :bg3:, nice soft lighting showing the hide & mud texture nicely. Agree on backing off the USM a tad, visible halo is evident also.
TFS

[DanWalters]

Just a great image! Love the background and the detail of the mud on the rhino. The two birds are a big plus!

[dankearl]

I love this photo, doesn't look over sharpened to me, just dried mud and the birds are a great touch.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

The 2 cute oxpeckers take this one over the Top !!!!! Agree with the slight OS ....back it off a bit and we have the perfect winner !!

[Dumay de Boulle]

This is great.. Yellow Billed Oxpecker per ear and the textures and portrait are great...I would also say back off the sharpening a touch but a small nit.

[Robert Amoruso]

Ramesh,

The sharpening is fine. Great detail, unobtrusive BG that contrasts well with the rhino's look and the two perfectly placed birds makes for a real winner.

[Rachel Hollander]

I agree with all of the above. Great texture, comp and the 2 oxpeckers really takes this image to another level. Well done.

TFS,
Rachel

[Marina Scarr]

The oxpeckers' placement in this already great rhino portrait, put this one over the top for me. You have killer light and details, and just enough vegetation.

[Stu Bowie]

Ramesh, I do like the detail of the mud on the rhino, and pulling back on the sharpening a touch will improve this even more. Killer BG, and the two oxpeckes puts this over the top.