Its not often one gets so close to a Saddle-billed Stork. I have visited this hide in the Kruger National park on many occasions, and had never seen one there before. This is a female as she has the yellow eye. The male's eye is brown. In this, I like how we can see into the bill, and to see how large their throats are. She closed her nictitating membrane, so I have replaced the eye, and have extended the canvas slightly on the left.
Canon 50D
100-400 @ 320mm
1/500
F/7.1
ISO 500
Exp Comp 0
Hand held from a hide
06-19-2011, 11:13 PM
Doug Brown
What a cool-looking bird! Super sharpness and an awesome pose. I love the texture in the bill. Nice PS work in replacing the eye and extending the canvas. You might be able to open up the darkest blacks a little more.
06-19-2011, 11:37 PM
Arno Ellmer
The detail here is stunning,Stu.Excellent PS work on replacing the eye. Good comp.
Agree with Doug that the blacks may be lightened up a tad.
Nice to have the bird so close .
Was this at Lake Panic ?
06-19-2011, 11:48 PM
Stu Bowie
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arno Ellmer
Was this at Lake Panic ?
Arno, yes, at lake Panic. He was standing on the RHS as you look out the hide. Pretty close too.
Doug, Thanks for you feedback too.
06-20-2011, 03:48 AM
Dumay de Boulle
Superb IQ and exp mate. You have done a great job on the eye! Great portrait Stuart!
06-20-2011, 04:20 AM
noelle zaleski
Wow...... that is an interesting looking bird!
Wonderful job, very sharp and well exposed.
His beak looks like it could do some damage. :eek:
Congrats on finally seeing this stork :S3:
06-20-2011, 04:33 AM
christopher galeski
love the colors in this image,and the detail is magic.thanks.
06-20-2011, 05:58 AM
Leo Berzins
Mighty impressive bird, Stuart, and a well composed image.
Nice work with the PP.
06-20-2011, 06:34 AM
Vivaldo Damilano
Excellent PS work and like the close-up plus open beak. Great BG as well TFS:cheers:
06-20-2011, 06:36 AM
Joe Senzatimore
fantastic subject. The image is composed well and the color and detail put it over the top.:bg3:
06-20-2011, 09:12 AM
Bill Dix
Congrats on taking advantage of this opportunity (and of course, creating the opportunity by being there in the first place). Wonderful pose, comp, detail; great bird. Good PS work.
06-20-2011, 10:00 AM
Brendan Dozier
I agree, Stuart, very cool looking bird! Wonderful colors, and blacks look great. Congrats on getting the opportunity to capture this, nice work!
06-20-2011, 11:41 AM
Melissa Groo
What a fascinating bird, thanks for sharing. Awesome head angle, clarity and exposure.
06-20-2011, 02:01 PM
Kaustubh Deshpande
Stuart, this one has excellent details and pose is awesome. getting bill open with right HA is not always possible....very well done here.
06-20-2011, 05:26 PM
Chad Caswell
wonderful capture with all the detail being there... nice job!
Chad
06-20-2011, 08:12 PM
gail bisson
Great shot of a terrific bird. Your PP is amazing.
Gail