Saddle-billed stork with Catfish

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

This was one of my lucky moments at the Okavango Delta, where we saw this beautiful saddle-billed stork looking for a meal. I was happy to get this shot with my 5D III, 500 II+1.4X TC III hand held from a Landcruiser.
1/2000
f/8
ISO 800

[Ian Wilson]

Excellent capture Sanjeev. You made the most of the opportunity luck brought your way. Love the feather sheen, blacks and whites spot on, even the shadow is softened by the grass and chewed off reeds. Well done sir. Regards, Ian.

[Morkel Erasmus]

A great capture of this endangered stork, Sanjeev! Wish this was mine.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Sanjeev, great timing and capture, well done, a priceless moment, you must be very pleased with this!

Nice angle and the techs look good again too, agree with Ian about exposure on the whites & blacks looking good. Personally I think the grass looks a tad red, just try in Colour balance Midtone -5:0:-6 & Highlights -5:0:0.

TFS
Steve

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Thanks Ian, Mork and Steve. Yes it was special moment. I was pleased to get this. I must thank our guide Aubrey, who positioned the vehicle in the right place and angle. I did reduce the red channel a bit in PP to avoid blowing the red on the beak. Steve, will make the adjustments you suggested.
Regards

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Sanjeev, Aubrey, which camp?
Guides can make or break an image, glad you had a good one, Trackers are different and amazing. Remember, as the 'client' now you have more knowledge under your belt, if you feel there is a better position in the future, speak up , % figures/adjustments are personal, not hard & fast.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Steve, the camp was Shinde which is just outside/at the edge of Moremi game reserve.

[MiroslavMaric]

Great shot, like the frame, moment and all details. Congratulations!

Cheers,
Miro

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Sanjeev, great angle here, well exposed on the plumage, and great that you captured the Saddle-Bill having a meal.

You know this is a female - they have the yellow eyes. The male has dull brown eyes.

[Karen Pleasant]

Superb photo of a very beautiful bird and great timing capturing the snack! Excellent separation from the background yet nice details on the bird. The grasses do seem a little red...but I've never been there and have no idea how they really look.

[Bill Dix]

Great shot of this gorgeous stork. Congratulations. The catfish a plus, of course. Nicely seen and exposed.

[adrian dancy]

I am quite impressed by this image ...a superb capture in every regard.

[christopher galeski]

spot on,sharp with good detail,fish in bill is a bonus,nice pose.well done.