Long-tailed Widow display

Today I spent a productive morning at a wetland near my home in Johannesburg. The Long-tailed Widows were doing their thing, the males flying with exaggerated wing beats to advertise their territories and attract females. It is deceptively difficult to capture them in flight, but eventually, after much trying and many failures, I managed to secure a few images:) Although a got quite a few full frames, I like the suggestion of habitat in this image provided by a wider perspective.

Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:12:22 06:33:24
Shutter speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 500
Lens: 600mm
Focal length: 600mm

I might try to open up the blacks around the face, but other than that, wow!! Great light, action, BG, and comp. I love the reeds on the left, they add a ton to the image.

Well Done!

Chris I love this habitat type image. Composition is good and there is good balance between the bird and teh in focus grasses in the the lower left corner.

Most impressive image, Chris, the BG really makes the bird stand out and that display is magnificent!

Chris....a definite IOTW candidate. Love how the reeds balance the comp. And what can be said about the bird and the pose? spectacular would be a serious understatement. Send it to BBC and all other contests, please.

what a bird man and what a capture. i am rolling on ground. huge congrats no critiques . just post larger view

A stunning image, Chris. The BG and habitat are exquisite; and capturing the bird in full display is priceless. A real winner on all counts.

great capture, I have never even heard of this bird before so thanks for sharing such an incredible image of a very odd bird

Superb image! I like the wing position and the trailing tail. The BG and grasses add to an already incredible shot!

What an amazing bird! And you certainly did it justice. The composition is simply superb. The layered depth provided by the vegetation adds much to the image. The sense of action is captured quite well by the lightly-blurred wings and the fanned tail feathers. I just cannot stop starring at this captivating image. Well done.

Wow! The tail feathers are just spectacular. Congratulations on a superb image.

Very cool, I like the pose and inclusion of the habitat. Whenever I see an image of this species, I think that they picked the wrong tail size. :)

Chris
It's a long time since I've seen an image that I instantly fell in love with. The bird is magnificient.....and that BG couldn't be any more perfect. This is incredible.

Incredible shot Chris... The whole composition is fantastic.

nice looking bird with a stunning bg,composition,pose!

Fantastic image! Love the vegetation as an anchor and the birds magnificent pose! A+

Absolutely love it. Everything works in this one. Congrats.

Chris...

Spectacular subject,great exposure and sharpness and killer pose.

There is only one thing that detracts to my eyes and that's the OOF plant material in the center bottom to the right of the main clump.

Incredible display and a very nice image. Really like the included habitat. The tail feathers almost look braided.

Chris most of your pictures are simply amazing and this one goes to that category. Nice inclusion of habitat an d coverage of whole bird. Simply Superb. Congrats!!

Easily one of the most wonderfull images I have ever seen, the pose, the specie, the light, BG, ambient, comp, detail, and colors are truely superb. Big congratulationS!

Awesome pose and freeze action, composition is right on money. Wonderful Chris

Great composition and amazing looking bird.
Congratulations Chris!

Spectacular image Chris , amazing species , BG , display , Super lighting
TFS

If this were a fruit then it would be a 'peach', I like this. I only wish the grasses were not so square or regular. I think had they been wind blown it would have added to the image.

For me birds in the environment make the best images...close-ups can all too often look similar and lack individuality IMHO.

Wonderful behaviour shot! Very well done!

Amazing, love the inclusion of habitat, the wonderful pose and display of the bird, the tail sure is beautiful. TFS this excellent image.

I am speehless bhai, one of the best bird pictures I have seen in recent time, so beautiful. big congrats..

Chris,
This is top notch. It has BBC WPOTY potential.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Hi Chris

Amazing bird and beautifully captured. I like the way the bird is captured in a great setting and is very well lit. Definately one to put foward into competitions.

It looks like they have some broad wings but thats not surprising when they have to try and get that huge tail airborne.

Cheers

Rich

Chris I know how difficult these birds are - I have tried long and hard. They fly like huge butterflies, and with the constant dipping and changing heights and speeds, they are a true challenge. Does the Nikon D3 hold the bird against the background more efficiently than the Mk3?? Your pic is fabulous.

This bird is just asking to be captured on camera! And you did it so well here Chris! Love the wing position, the fabulous tail, the BG, exposure, and the perfect inclusion of habitat! If the flightangle would have been a bit more towards you, this would have been beyond over the top. For now over the top will have to do ;):D Congrats Chris

Thanks everyone for the positive comments and suggestions:) Neville, after using the D3 for 8 months, I find it superior to the MK III in every aspect, especially in the AF accuracy and noise departments. The only aspect where the MK III has the edge on the D3 is in initial focus acquisition, which is slightly faster. I guess we will have to see what the MK IV can do? I have not yet tried the D3s, I would love the see how the redesigned sensor performs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aidan Briggs

I might try to open up the blacks around the face, but other than that, wow!! Great light, action, BG, and comp. I love the reeds on the left, they add a ton to the image.

Well Done!

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Well said. fabulous shot Chris and as said, the extra habitat add tons.

Just too good...the pose, setting....man...you are just taking it to another level...

I need to say something, to me, this could easily be the Bird Image of the Yaer, I am just so amazed with it... :D
Again, congratulations!

Amazing shot, your patience paid off, like the fact you are experimenting more with inclusion of habitats ,

I am sure we will see this image again

peter

Wow splendid image !!! Chris, everything is perfect in this image

Superb, Chris. Obvious from your image why it's called a Langstert Flap!

Congratulations ,this looks like an almost impossible bird to capture all the tail feathers showing together and in the right order .Thank you for introducing a new bird as well

Amazing bird and photograph! Well done!

Incredible image. Love the tail display and the habitat.

Superb :eek::eek:

If I had a wall, which I don't living in a caravan, I would be proud to hang a copy of this in my home. Outstanding and definitely IOTW and IOTY considerations. Good on ya Chris. :D

Love the left side-right side balance, love the opposition on the implied diagonal, love that you encompass environment here, love the overall bg color, love the unbelievable bird subject. A very artistic looking shot Chris! I look forward to seeing it on the IOW board! You have a fantastic eye for the sublime and beautiful!

Paul

Awesome.
Has everything, the bird in position, composition and techs

Cheers,
Rajneesh
http://www.naturechronicles.com