Stubborn Mpukunyoni

[Andre Pretorius]

Another image captured at the Zimanga Bird Hide. Mpukunyoni is the local/Zulu name for the Crested Barbet. Their call is as piercing as an alarm clock that doesn't want to stop!

Nikon D3S with 600F4
ISO 4000
1/1000 @ f6,3

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image Andre. The images I have seen captured from that hide are just wonderful. A bird I have never seen before, thank you for sharing.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice image Andre. Is it molting?

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Andre , what a beautiful bird you present here.Nice colors and tones and nicely processed .
I would loose some of LHS ?
Where are two catchlights coming from ? in the eye

TFS Andreas BTW dropped you a line

[keith mitchell]

Andre I like the reflection of the water on the birds breast, that hide works wonders giving you shots like this and a nice BG .
My wife want's to go back to South Africa next year, must contact you guys before we go.

Cheers Keith.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

What a cool bird and a beautiful setting. I love the BG and the color in the water fg. Looks like the D3s doesn't even break a sweat at ISO 4000.
The reflection isn't doing much for me here, but it doesn't hurt.
Nicely done Andre.

[John Robinson]

Hi Andre
Bird techs etc spot on . Sorry but its just the unatural rim around the pool that does not feel right to me. (personal view) As I said in my original comments on this set up which seems to have been missed.
I did stuff with my son some years ago with a pool on legs in a set up like this, but we scrapped it mainly for this reason and probs with refections. Each to their own.
Cheers
John.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Andre, these are great birds, never kept still long enough out here in the bush to get any decent images sadly, so envious of you. Perhaps a more central position for the composition on this one, may offer another comp alternative, likewise some off the top so everything looks more symmetrical??? I might add a graduate filter for the reflection to bolster the depth. Will try add more critique when back in the next few days.

John, this is the third time you have comment on this particular set-up in three different image posting, time to park it now.

TFS
Steve

[BenBotha]

I like the soft light. I agree with the other comments and the Parking ticket.
Ben

[gail bisson]

Hi Andre,
I love the light and the clean BG and the good IQ.
I am not sure about the comp or the reflection.
I think I would try this as a landscape orientation, adding more to the LHS, and crop out the reflection.
Gail

[Morkel Erasmus]

Nice one Andre. I agree I'd tone down brightness of the reflection as per Steve.
Can't wait to head there in 2 days