Cape Vulture Close-up

[Arno Ellmer]

This image was created at Giant's Castle , South Africa past August.
This Cape Vulture flew so close that I invariably cut off the wing tips as it approached.
I cropped it closer a shown.
Does it work ?
Would have preferred a better HA to see the eye better.
I quite like the detail in the feathers.
Shot from a hide.
The bg is a distant mountain slope , darkened by a fire that swept through the region a few days earlier.
Canon Mk IV
500mm
f/7.1
1/2500
ISO 800
EC + 1/3

All comments and suggestions very welcome

[Randy Stout]

Arno:

The crop really strengthens the in your face feel for the image. Sharp, well exposed, nice feather detail indeed. The smooth BG works well.

Agree about the head position.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

Hi Arno,
The IQ and feather detail are superb.
Did you give this guy a bath before you took his picture? He is so clean!
The light is beautiful as well.
Crop works well but I still find myself wishing for all of the wings.
I am OK with the HA as you can still see the eye detail quite well,
Gail

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Hi Arno, the IQ is superb and so is the light. Those dangling talons and that nice background are great pluses too.
This definitely works for me. The entire wingspan would've been over the top; but then you already have many of those.

[dankearl]

I might be tempted to go even a bit tighter.
Very nice details.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Quite in-your-face! Awesome details, exposure looks good, and the crop certainly works. Actually I'd crop it a bit more from above to just below the black feather at top. You could also lighten the eye a bit. Superb BG!!

[Raymond Lee]

Awesome shot! Perfect exposure, sharp details. I think the HA didn't bother me too much as the bird is doing its thing looking for a landing spot. I would chop off the bottom a bit, right where your watermark is.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Arno, good DOF, and you have captured great feather detail. I like the curve of the top of the wings.

[Arno Ellmer]

They you all for the kind comments and good suggestions.