Turbo chook

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

I finally got a half decent shot of the most suspicious bird around. This little Black-tailed Native hen finally came into an open spot for a quick snap during an early morning session along the River Murray in South Australia. Canon 1DIV, 600 f4 IS, 1.4 TC, 1/250, f 6.3, ISO 800, low tripod with Wimberley. Comments welcome.

[Alan Murphy]

Great detail and low angle. Also like the vegetation that the bird is on.

[Shawn Zierman]

Gorgeous image. I enjoy the soft light and low angle work. Nice leg seperation and great head and body angle elevate the success of the image imo...How did you manage such an intimate view of a "suspicious" bird? The image is too well executed to say it was lucky :) ....

[Marina Scarr]

Very pleasing image you have posted here. The vegetation goes so well with the bird, and the bird's pose works well with the angle of the ground.

[Lorant Voros]

Lovely pose and as mentioned the vegetation and low angle add to the image. Well done.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Neat bird and I like the hunched pose. Awesome vegetation with great colours. I'd selectively sharpen the face a tad more as the fine detail there seems less defined than elsewhere on the subject.

[christopher galeski]

nice image,love the colors,good pov,nice pose.

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Gorgeous image. I enjoy the soft light and low angle work. Nice leg seperation and great head and body angle elevate the success of the image imo...How did you manage such an intimate view of a "suspicious" bird? The image is too well executed to say it was lucky :) ....

Thanks for the comment Shawn. Australian birders know these birds mostly as being very skittish, mostly diving for cover at the slightest detection of any threat. I got this one by being well concealed and doing a patient worm burner!

[Shawn Zierman]

Ahh, thanks for the feedback...nice technique. Worm Burner? Had to google that phrase and only came up with golf references :) or is that just a cool way to say you hugged the turf? :)

[David Salem]

Nice look at this unique bird. Well done

[Ian Wilson]

Hi Gerhard, Good work to get this shot. They are indeed very 'suspicious' and effectively unapproachable birds. The carpet of wildflowers is a nice touch. It would have been nice to see a little of the red feet, perhaps next time. Cheers, Ian.

[Satish Ranadive]

Spectacular image with beautiful colors of bird and vegetation. I like the pose, colors and details on hen.
Beautiful composition.

Regards,
Satish.