Vertical Take off

[Stu Bowie]

I posted a similar image a little while back and stated that I wasnt happy with it, http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/97745-The-Bee-eater-and-the-Starling and would go back for a better one - well Im on the right track and getting there. This was captured on another visit to the Pilanesberg National Park and was captured vertically in camera. Believe it or not, I didnt cut anything off, but had to extend the canvas on the LHS. These guys are extremely quick both on take off, and in flight.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/2500
F/6.3
ISO 500

Exp Comp 0
Hand held

[gail bisson]

Wow, and wow. You nailed this one Stuart. Perfect BG and your canvas extension is perfectly executed.I like the bottom side look of the bee eater.
This would also look nice with the bottom cropped to just above protruding branch. Just wonderful and one of your best,
Gail

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great pose mate. I like the way you balanced the comp with the inl of the perch. I like it a lot! Only noticed the canvas because you said it. I dont think I would of if you hadnt.

[jack williamson]

Very beautiful and excellent, all of it!

Jack

[Roman Kurywczak]

Oh yeah! I like the colors, pose, and BG......my tastes are for the crop tighter (go figure) but an excellent one all around!

[Doug Brown]

Fantastic pose Stuart. Way to work your subject until you get the shot you want!

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Stuart! I like the pose, colours, perch and BG. I could see a cropped version using Gails suggestion.

[rajojomanik]

It's hard enough to get flight shots of larger subjects but this takes skills and patience... and you have them both.

Excellent capture with wings fully extended and just the right head turn.

[dankearl]

Awesome. What you get with a 400mm lens is inspiring!
I really like the crop, I would do nothing different.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent banking pose, eye contact and the colours are very nice, Stuart.

[Marina Scarr]

This is really a killer flight shot. Love the perch, the comp, the BG and the colors of this little devil.

[Satish Ranadive]

Great pose captured. I like the flight pose and lovely colors.

[ali azadi]

exellent

[Frank Schauf]

Really nice flight shot and great details.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all your feedback and comments.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent take off pose and nice light + BG. wish he was a bit larger in the frame

[Riaan Marais]

Hi Stuart, nice in flight, good detail and good light. Personally, I don't like adding or taking away stuff - but I understand why you gave the bird space to fly into.

[christopher galeski]

Excellent image Stuart,nice flight pose,nice BG,good detail,well done.

[Ofer Levy]

I like the composition in here. Such a cool bird!