This is MY elephant!!

[Morkel Erasmus]

We came across an elephant carcass between Shingwedzi and Sirheni in the Kruger on our August 2011 trip. The vultures were having a party...my nose wasn't!!
It was quite challenging to pick out compositions among the myriad of jostling and bickering birds.

This one is a favourite from the sighting.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II @ 200mm
f7.1 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-1250
About 98% of full frame, slight crop from all around

[gail bisson]

Love the light and the dust. I would lighten the second vultures black face-I missed it completely at first glance! I like how you cropped it.I also like the wing position of the vulture. A keeper for sure.
Gail

[Rod Warnock]

Well done, Morkel !! You really made the most of a difficult but interesting opportunity. The compostion rocks,
Best regards
Rod Warnock

[Daniel Cadieux]

A few years back I photographed a vulture on a raccoon carcass and I can still taste the smell down my throat...I can just image an elephant!! I like the dusty conditions making this look like an arid area. I wish for more room at right and below but I see this is virtually FF. Nice behavioural image.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Super cool shot morkel. I agree about lightening the second guy's face. Really cool moment and I really like the 3rd ones expression

[Rhys Marsh]

Great composition! Really interesting. I wonder about the lighting near the focus of the shot - it almost seems as if there's a red dust or haze in the air.

[Sid Garige]

Looks like a thanks giving lunch to me. You made a very good image Morkel.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the kind comments, folks. Will have a go at lightening that face. The vultures on the ground were certainly kicking up a lot of red dust!

And yes, Daniel, the smell was indescribably bad...

[Craig Kerr]

Excellent interaction shown in this image Morkel... Glad I could view without the smell :-)

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks Craig. :bg3: