This may be common behaviour but I have never seen this before. The stork was shading the water with alternate wings ner both at the same time. Unfortunately neither our position or the light was really in our favour, my settings did not help either:o
Taken in Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe, 19th September 2010
EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4 IS hand-held from game viewing vehicle
F4, ISO 400, 1/3200, EV +0.33
11-01-2010, 09:32 AM
Stu Bowie
Hi Ken, good fishing posture, and I think they may spread their wings to shield the light from the water - better to see the fish. Good placement of the stork in the frame too.
11-01-2010, 10:07 AM
Bill Dix
I've watched Wood Storks exhibit this behavior in Florida. Nice looking bird, and you captured the behavior very well.
11-01-2010, 10:14 AM
Kaustubh Deshpande
Ken, nice pose and light on the head. Excellent shooting angle too. But I am not sure about including the entire reflection. Tough one to crop I think.
11-01-2010, 02:42 PM
Pieter de Waal
Ken the action has been nicely captured especialy with the raised leg to compliment the outstretched wing. You did well with the light with good detail in the whites. I might also consider cropping some from the bottom.
Have also witnessed this behaviour at Sunset Dam in KNP and agree with Stuart's explanation.
11-01-2010, 07:33 PM
Arthur Morris
Hi Ken, I like this a lot better than you do. Wish for clear blue water but the grass is short and not obtrusive. And I like the way you handled the reflection.
The behavior is commonly seen; the plan is to attract the baitfish to the shade and then whack them.
11-02-2010, 01:12 AM
Ken Watkins
I thought that this behaviour might be relatively normal, and slightly similar to the Black Heron, thanks for confirming this.
Artie,
I do like this but know that I should have done better. Earlier in the year when the lake is a lot higher there probably would have been clearer water and a better reflection.