Eye to Eye

[Stu Bowie]

Ive been very busy at work, thus my inactivity for a short while. I was hoping for better light, but it is a 50/50 if these Impala's are either eating out in the open, or eating under foliage. Furthermore, not every Impala has an Oxpecker on them. Taken in the Kruger National Park recently.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300F/2.8
1/640
F/6.3
ISO 800

Exp comp +0.33
Hand held from the car.

[John Cooper]

Hi Stuart - love the treatment you have given to the composition here - just enough of the impala to show what the oxpecker is sitting on but still maintaining the bird as center stage - well seen and taken.

[Richard Flack]

Hi Stu, I really like this one. It is original, interesting, the impala provides a lovely frame and I like the detail on the oxpecker. (As you say, late afternoon like may have made this even better but I like it as is). Well done (Hope the work starts to slow down :))

[Marina Scarr]

For me, this is one of the best images you have ever posted, Stuart. Love the story. I took the image into PS and did a slight crop on the right and fell as though it worked even better.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Stu I reckon you should retire, I can recommend it - you'll have more chance to take pics like this!
I like the image very much the profile of the impala provides a very elegant shape and the oxpecker has wonderful colouration. a slightly differnt image and it works well.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like Marina's crop suggestion, but I gotta say this is a pretty remarkable image you present us Stu! Great lines and flow to the composition. You did best you could given the lighting conditions you describe. Super nice.

[Mike Poole]

This is right up my street - creative but not too 'arty' if that makes sense. It'd be up on my wall if I'd taken in thats for sure

[William Dickson]

Very nice

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the kind words everyone, and Marina, hopefully, this is what you had in mind.

[Joe Subolefsky]

Fantastic image! I do prefer the bottom version a little more. Was the top image full frame with the MKIV and the 300? Only asking as I'm headed that way next Aug thanks.

[Stu Bowie]

Was the top image full frame with the MKIV and the 300? Only asking as I'm headed that way next Aug thanks.

Thanks Joe. This was pretty much FF. I cropped away a touch of the ULC, and a bit of the Impala's body below. These Oxpeckers can be quite annoying to the Impala's, but when one manages to capture an expression on the Impala's face from being annoyed, its priceless. Of course, if I had one, I wouldnt have posted this.

[keith mitchell]

That is really something different Stuart, both show what a super shot this is but the second one rocks my boat!

Cheers Keith.

[gail bisson]

I think this is one of my favorite of yours. Love it. I prefer the OP .
Love the light, the IQ and that wonderful composition.
Well done!

[Bill Dix]

The thumbnail doesn't do this justice, of course. I'm so glad I opened it. I love it. The original comp is great, the repost even greater. Light, IQ and exposure are good, but it's the colors of the bird, and it's fabulous look toward the impala, that put this over the top. Congratulations!

[mohammad reza shahab]

Hi Stu.
l like the composition and Colors.

[Marina Scarr]

That is exactly what I was thinking, Stuart. I really feel as though the RP is quite a bit more powerful.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Very creative Stuart. Well thought and executed, The bird alone would have been nice, but the Impala takes it up a notch.

[Binu John]

Superb shot, Stu! Wonderful composition! I love the light, exposure and colors. I like the OP.

[David Salem]

Now I,m a bit late to your party Stuart I agree, this is one of the better images I have seen you post. Technically it's perfect and the content is killer. Way to see something special!! Oh, the second comp.

[christopher galeski]

What can I say Stuart that's all ready been said,great image,like them both,but repost just a bit better.well done.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

Great fun. Makes you want to think of lots of cute sayings to go with it as a card. I slightly prefer the repost.

Cheers

Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the great feedback and kind words. Always appreciated.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu- Glad I stuck my head in to Avian. This is fantastic and you told me you didn't have much luck . This is very creative and unusual. I prefer the rp too. Feel free to post it over in Wildlife too to get the reaction there as well. Congrats on this one.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Neat image Stu, very nice comp and the BKG separates the subject well.

Personally I think it's stronger in Avian, the Ox P is the main element so I'm unsure about posting it in Wildlife.

TFS
Steve