African Darter - ( Anhinga )

[Stu Bowie]

This was captured at a wetlands in Cape Town, and I remember it was very windy, thus the water looking like it was on the boil. These guys dont stay up for long when fishing, and then when they surface, you hope for a decent HA.
Taken late afternoon from a hide.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300 F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/1250
F/7.1
ISO 640

Hand held from a hide

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Excellent details and HA Stu. Nicely composed and did I say SHARP!!

[David Salem]

What a cool bird and you did a nice job capturing it. That 300mm with the 2X is really producing some sharp shots. Great HA and that rippley water really makes the shot different and special. Nice one Stuart

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Hi Stu, beautiful light, details and setting. I love the rough, and the deep blue choppy water. I could see moving the bird further up in the frame a bit, but no biggie.

[MohsenVahedipour]

What a great species (At least for me) I wish to see one of them whenever I travel to south of Iran. Excellent pose & detail. TFS

[Iain Barker]

Hi Stuart

The detail and sharpness in this image is fantastic especially with the 2x. Certainly shows you can get good results with a teleconvertor in the right hands.

TFS
Iain

[Arthur Morris]

I like the framing and the exposure. It looks as if you applied to much something to the bird as it looks a bit grungy and too contrasty.

[Holger Leyrer]

Interesting bird. The details (especially the eye) are great. I like the low angle and the wet plumage looks like copper.

[Stu Bowie]

looks a bit grungy and too contrasty.

Thanks Artie. After reading your feedback on the contrast, yes maybe a touch too much contrast. Here is a repost with the contrast reduced on the Darter.

Thanks everyone else for your feedback. Always appreciated.

[Bret Goddard]

Very nice, every time O have looked at this, gets better each time. love the water and that eye, Grand job!