Brrrr.... Its Cold

[Stu Bowie]

We always think of Africa as this hot continent with high temperatures, but here in SA, we do actually have a winter. Driving to this location on sunday morning, I passed through areas of - 6.5 deg C. It was pretty cold at this location too - same place where I captured my previous post of the Gull. This is a Blacksmith Lapwing, and you can see the ice on his plumage from the cold. I could do nothing about the rocks, and left the rock in on the RHS to balance the comp. The colour of the water is from reflected Reeds across the water.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/2000
F/6.3
ISO 800

Manual exposure
Hand held

[adrian dancy]

A wonderful image in my view. The rock in the centre would unbalance a portrait crop. The rock on the right balances the composition, I do not see the rocks as a distraction whatsoever. The colours are wonderful and the pose is too....the ice on the bird's back is the 'icing' on the cake

[Geoff Newhouse]

I agree with Adrian. Rocks work for me with this composition. Love the orange colours in the water/background. The bird is well exposed and good details and a good pose. Maybe a little eye work could brighten the eye a bit as it is such a nice red colour but rather dark and blending in with the black head plumage.

TFS
Geoff

[christopher galeski]

Beautiful image of a beautiful bird,love the color of the BG and water,the frost on the bird a bonus,if I had to nit pick,maybe a bit more head turn,but know big deal .TFS.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely light and typical Highveld winter colours from the reflected reeds, Stu. Frost on the back really catches to winter feeling - my fingers and toes are numb!

[gail bisson]

Just love the frost on the back!
What a wonderful color in the water.
These little plovers are one of my favorite birds.
Really well executed shot Stu!
Gail

[William Dickson]

Beautiful image Stu, lovely detail on the bird and great colours throughout. I like the comp. Very nice indeed

Will

[John Robinson]

Allbeen said already. Wonderful shot.
JohnR

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack everyone. Always appreciated.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - Amazing detail and love the frost on the back. You're right that we don't think of Africa as a cold location so this demonstrates it well. Love the reflected color of the water.

TFS,
Rachel

[Daniel Cadieux]

-6.5C ain't that bad, it's still bare hand weather for us! I love the frosty back and orange water. Good subtle ripples in the water. I see most are OK with the rocks but I find them unfortunate. Still a heckuva'n image!

[Stu Bowie]

-6.5C ain't that bad, it's still bare hand weather for us!

Hey Dan, I realise when you guys were shooting Snowy's, the temp was far, far colder, but hey, this is Africa.

[keith mitchell]

Never think of cold Africa it never was when we where there, classic piece of work showing all the elements that make for a smashing image.

Keith.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Stu! I like the water color, ice on the back, composition and rocks work for me.