Another Lilac Breasted Roller - Okavango Delta

[Loi Nguyen]

This is a common bird thruout Africa and a favorite bird of mine. They often perch on small bushes along the road, but being small, it is still hard to get a full frame image. This is my first near full frame image that shows the bird profile. It was mid day, but there was some cloud that helped with the light.

1DX
500f4 II + 1.4X III
1/2500
F8
ISO-1600
Handheld

Removed 2 OOF branches,

Thank you for your comments.

Loi

[Ian Wilson]

Also one of my favourite southern African birds. I expect there will be debate about the space around the bird but it is near full frame and I like the opportunity this gives the viewer to appreciate the feather detail. I'm afraid I am of an older school that says that if you've got it then you should flaunt it. The current fashion to have lots of space around a bird does not usually allow the full exploration of the information content of an image.

[Karl Egressy]

Great looking bird. You captured a nice pose, Lou. Love the colors and detail.

[John Robinson]

Another gem ! Maybe just a tiny bit more surround - not too much.
John

[Colin Driscoll]

Stunning bird and great detail and pose. I would have removed that oof foliage in the background rhs.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Great shot, Loi! Perfect in terms of color(s), detail & sharpness! These birds are really beautiful and I can never resist stopping for a photo every time I see one. One of Africa's beauties!

For sake of interest: legend has it that in early days these birds were caught and the longer tail feather (the lowest one in your pic) was plucked to push through a wedding ring before the ring was presented to the bride. Therefore the direct translation of the Afrikaans (my home language) word for this bird ('troupant') means 'wedding ring'.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

The current fashion to have lots of space around a bird does not usually allow the full exploration of the information content of an image.

In the event of small birds like this one I agree with you 100%!

[Marina Scarr]

What a little stunner. Love that pose!!! I would give it a tad more room all around.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Loi, having just returned from our Kruger National Park this weekend, I managed to capture quite a few of these LBR's. You have brought out the colours perfectly, and love the look back pose. No one else has mentioned it, but I feel the sharpness is on the edge of a touch too much.

[Holger Leyrer]

Terrific pose with excellent detail. Well done, Loi.

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Everyone, thank you very much for your comments. I added more space on the RP. Now it is almost full frame except for a sliver at the top. Stuart, I used UMS in the RP at 100/0.3/0. Not sure what I used previously. Hope you like it better. Loi

[David Salem]

Great shot Loi. Love the look back pose and the detail in the head and feathers is awesome. The colors and exposure look great too. The repost is perfect. Nice work!