Hoopoe in its habitat

[shane shacaluga]

Was driving along the countryside yesterday looking for raptors to photograph, when a pair of hoopoes flew across the road and landed on a tree quite close by. I quickly stopped the engine and glided in neutral as close as I dared. This individual did not seem at all scared and let me take a few shots. There was no clearing so I did as best I could. Was in two minds about removing the bit of dirt on the beak tip but hoopoes never have clean beaks so decided to leave it

D800e
300f4 +1.7x @ 500mm
f6.7
1/640
ISO 1600

Rested the lens on the car window as it does not have VR

Exposed well to the right and the slightly overcast conditions kept my whites from blowing.

Basic PP and cropped to vertical for composition

Thanks for your comments

[Satish Ranadive]

Beautiful image of hoopoe in natural environment with nice look back pose. If mine ,would reduce the brightness little bit.

Regards,
Satish.

[shane shacaluga]

Thanks for the comments

I decreased the brightness very slightly and also pulled down the curves layer a bit more

Added some more smart sharpening as I felt it needed it