Hamerkop Portrait

[Stu Bowie]

I was driving through the nature reserve close to my house early one morning after it had rained fairly hard. This Hamerkop was fishing next to a swollen stream on the side of the road, so I positioned my car and managed a few close portrait shots. The BG is the running stream.

I will be away for 10 days from tomorrow, so will see you soon.

Canon 1D Mark IV
100-400 @ 330mm
1/1250
F/8.0
ISO 640

Manual exposure

[Gabriela Plesea]

Stu, when I see an image like this ( one where the subject "pops" out of the BG and one can see so much detail) the expression "...when feathers become hairs..." comes to mind. Hope this makes sense to you.What a lovely portrait, congratulations!

Kind regards,

[Grace Scalzo]

Fine image, Stuart. I love the details, such an interesting bird and background.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

The color palette works very well here, fine details, sharp, well exposed, effective comp.

Very well done.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

You nailed this one Stuart!
Love the IQ and details on the worn feathers and the light. The eye is gorgeous.
Have a great time,
gail

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Have a nice trip.

Awesome portait...just the right composition. Lots of details. Good call on all the techs.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Very nice Stuart! You made this ugly bird look good!

[Nick Palmieri]

Very nice portrait. Love the detail in the head and the comp works very well.

[jack williamson]

The detail is awesome and the exposure perfect. The bg colors are great. Excellent portrait of a strange looking bird with an equally strange name.

Jack

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent portrait of a strange looking bird with an equally strange name.

Jack

Thanks Jack. When this species lifts his head, it forms the shape of a head of a hammer.

Thank you everyone else for your feedback and comments.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details, a great shot.

[David Salem]

Nice portrait Stuart. Tons of detail and color. I like the texture of the bill and the clear eye. Love that "car as blind" hugh. Well done

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful close up shot.
Excellent feather detail, great comp, and nice light.
Well done.

[Satish Ranadive]

Stuart Sir,
Marvelous portrait with absolutely sharpness and colors.Love the great IQ.lights and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[MohsenVahedipour]

Excellent feathers detail & composition. Sweet soft light & BG.

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Cracker of a shot mate. Mooiloop!