Abdim's Stork - a rare sighting

[Richard Flack]

Abdim's Stork

This stork is an uncommon sighting in South Africa and is pretty difficult to get close to (well, at least in my experience :)). After some slow, careful stalking, I was chuffed to get this flight shot in morning light!

Location: Kgomo Kgomo, South Africa
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlacksPhotography
Date taken: 06 December 2013
Photo details:
Canon EOS 7D
400mm f2.8
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/4000
F stop 6.3
Exposure bias -0.3
Small crop (10%). Sharpening for the web. Very little else.
I look forward to your comments!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Richard, a stork species I wasnt even aware of, so well done on getting a rare shot. You have exposed the darker underwings nicely, and I like the splash of reds on the head. A minor point, but having the head separated from the far wing would have been better. There is quite a strong halo running along the leading wing edges.

[Holger Leyrer]

I like the fly pose, details and the exposure

[Shawn Zierman]

Beautiful stork, sharply rendered. I don't mind the merge of the head with the wing, because the coloration of the head/bill contrasts nicely against the darker wing plumage, so nothing about the bird gets lost visually. Good light quality. Solid composition.

[Grace Scalzo]

Exciting to have a rare bird so well photographed in your files. On my system, some of the blacks look like they could be opened up a bit.

[adrian dancy]

Excellent flight shot. Given the lighting etc you have pulled out a good image.