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Orange-footed Scrubfowl
This is a fossicking megapode of tropical rainforest here in Australia.
These guys are quite hard to shoot as they are almost always in the dense rainforest and are quite wary when in the open - After watching their movements for several days, I found a spot where they were crossing from one patch of forest to the next on a daily basis... so one day I hid in bushes and managed to get a couple of frames as this individual made the dash!
Thanks for looking, Greg.
D800, 300 2.8, 1.7TC, f4.8, 1/2500, ISO1000
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Another super capture Greg, and another bird I've never seen before.
You'll have a few people scratching their heads at 'fossicking megapode' but it's good to give the dictionaries a workout.
The colours and detail look terrific except that there seem to be some bright spots on the legs which could probably do with some darkening.
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your hard work paid off. superb walking pose with excellent IQ & DOF. would have wished for some space at the bottom
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Never realised that 'megapode' was so literal a name! Nice capture.
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It sounds like you employed some keen field technique to create this photo. Interesting bird...my interest when right to those giant feet. For that reason, I wouldn't mind a bit more room on the bottom.
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Super Moderator
Good job learning about your subject and then applying that in the field. We can feel the sense of urgency in this bird wanting to get out of the open, very neat. I do too wish for a looser composition, but I like the low angle, background, colours, details.
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Lifetime Member
Thanks for showing this new species and congrats on getting him or her in the open.
For those too lazy to look up fossicking and megapode
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megapode, also called Mound Builder, or Incubator Bird, (family Megapodiidae), any of 12 species of Australasian chickenlike birds (order Galliformes) that bury their eggs to hatch them.
Fossicking is a term found in Cornwall, Australia and New Zealand referring to prospecting, especially in more recent times, when carried out as a recreational activity. This can be for gold, precious stones, fossils, etc. by sifting through a prospective area. In Australian English and New Zealand English, the term has an extended use meaning to "rummage"
I too, wish for a bit more room down below. Great shot
Gail
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A great looking bird, & a new one to me, I like the detail & BG, also agree a bit more under it's feet, great job on the capture Greg.
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Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator
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Thanks for the feedback as always guys! I agree it could have a touch more underneath, but I just didn't have the canvas in the frame - I could do some more PP work and add some oof grass to the bottom I guess...
And thanks for the translation Gail! Sorry about my silly description! It was a bit presumptuous of me to expect others to know what a megapode is, especially as it is only an Australasian term!
I should have used our simpler term for this bird... super chook
Cheers,
Greg
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Hi Greg.
Well done..! I found these birds a tease for me in a recent trip to the Daintree region of Queensland. They would happily fossick around the edge of the campground, even get quite close to you when you were sitting, but as soon as you stood up or pointed a camera at them they would head off into the rainforest that was inevitably dark and dense, ie no clear shot... I never got a shot I was happy with. I heard stories that they are well known to scatter garden mulch (hope that translates) and destroy gardens with those legs...
DON
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Greg I tried unsuccessfully to photograph these birds digging out the nest pit on a golf course up in Queensland could only seem to find them in deep shade, I think you have done very well to get an image that is this good.
Keith.
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Excellent image, beautiful colors and details.
Regards,
Satish.
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Really enjoyed viewing, Greg! Great capture and good planning, these birds are fast and you had just seconds to take the shots
