Namaqua Sandgrouse - morning light

[Richard Flack]

Back to namaqua sandgrouse... they are such beautiful birds!

Location: Lijersdraai Waterhole, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Date taken: 10 June 2013
Photo details:
ISO 800
Shutter speed 1/8000
F stop 6.3
Exposure bias -0.3
Cloned a few unwanted birds out the photograph. Sharpened for web and did some work on a few shadow areas.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Great image Richard, love these birds and often tried to photograph them at Lijersdraai as well as other waterholes, yet never got a shot in flight as good as yours! Nice and sharp and I like the eye-contact there, great IQ, what equipment are you using?

Post some more please, if you have!

Kind regards,

[Ian Wilson]

Beautiful work Richard, you really nailed this one. I love the action you have captured with perfect head angle in great light, nicely positioned in the frame, pleasing background. All good, well done. Cheers, Ian.

[Peter de Hoog]

I don't think you could want for a better flight shot of the Sandgrouse than this one. Perfect lighting, sharp, frozen action ( that's quite a shutter speed..!). Well done! Regards, Peter

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Richard, nice colour palette and cracking BKG. Like the plumage/detail and flight posture. If they are like our Red Grouse the fly like rockets, but then I guess so would I, if someone was firing a shotgun at you.

BTW What's the kit?

TFS
Steve

[John Robinson]

I like the colours on this and the slight tilt of the bird and the positioning in the frame are spot on. Well done . Would have been nice with a little something in the background but thats just me. No big deal.
John

[Karl Egressy]

Great work this bird really shines against the complimenting background.

[Andre Pretorius]

You nailed this one, Karl! Attempted many times, my BIF techniques are far behind...

[David Salem]

Your best one of these cool looking grouse Richard. Love everything from the detail to the killer BG. Well done!

[Richard Flack]

Thanks so much Gabriela, appreciate the kind words! I am using a canon 7D and 400mm f2.8. I have posted quite a few grouse photographs on the forum but if you feel like seeing more feel free to go to my fb page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFlacksPhotography or I have a few in my BPN album.

[Richard Flack]

Hi Steve, kit is a canon 7D with a 400mm f2.8. Thanks for the comments. And yes, they are waste no time getting to the waterhole. :)

[Gabriela Plesea]

Really cool image, Richard! Makes me think of the Kalahari and those numerous hours spent in silence, waiting for something to happen...Love the sound of the sand grouses coming to drink! Thanks for info on equipment, and you are really doing a great job with this combo! Drop us a PM when you go to the KTP next, we might meet at a waterhole. I am counting the sleeps already, next trip in October

Post some more if you have!

Have a great evening,