Namaqua sandgrouse in flight (almost full frame)

[Richard Flack]

Namaqua Sandgrouse

I recently returned from a trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the far north of South Africa. Had a lot of fun photrographing namaqua and burchell's sandgrouse. They flock to the waterholes between 9am and 10am every morning and provide an awesome challenge. I was quite chuffed to get this almost full frame shot of a male namaqua.... they are cool birds that wet their bellies to bring water back to their little ones.

Please let me know your thoughts and where I can improve this one. Thanks a bundle!

Location: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Date taken: 10 June 2013
Photo details:
ISO 800
Shutter speed 1/8000
F stop 6.3
Exposure bias -0.3
Small crop, slight lens blur to background and sharpening for web

[keith mitchell]

Richard looks like you got some excellent shutter speed 1/8000 and it shows with the quality of this image,I like the fact that we get a good view of both wings, very well done getting this.

Cheers Keith.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rich, still need to visit there, but seems like you made the best of your opportunities. I like that we can see the dorsal view, together with the angled tail as he is turning. Great fast ss to freeze the wings, and just wish the head was a little more towards us. Well captured.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Pretty awesome banking pose and dorsal view, Richard. Very nice sharpness too. Thanks for the behavioral info.; their means of transporting water is so cool!
Very well done.

[David Salem]

The only way to improve this one was out of your hands. A better HA and the tail facing us would have been great but the good part is the detail and techs look awesome.
I too love the way they transport water to their young. Well done

[Jonathan Ashton]

Excellent shot loverly freeze frame appearance super details.

[Daniel Cadieux]

How cool!! Great view of the dorsal and top of the wings plumage. Spot on focus, good comp. Yes, a better head angle would have been too good to be true here!! With such a uniform and pale BG I'm wondering what "slight lens blur to background" was for? Correcting noise?

[Richard Flack]

Thanks so much for the awesome comments guys! Really appreciate it.
Dan, 100 per cent correct. Probably did not need it but wanted to be sure there was no noise. Have an awesome Sunday!