You are giving me a headache

[Stu Bowie]

Whilst parked alongside a dam in the Kruger Park, I couldnt resist a few shots of this Grey Heron taking a ride on the back of a Hippo. This is fairly common practice for the Grey Herons to perch like this, and the Hippo's dont seem to mind - not even sure if they can feel them due to their thick hides.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300 F/2.8 +1.4 TC = 420mm
1/1600
F/8.0
ISO 800

Hand held from the car.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Hi Stu, this is simply superb. Great title!! I like the POV, the hippo facing us and the heron really pops! Well done my friend!
Cheers,
Sanjeev

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely, Stu. Heron really stands out well. Great job on the exposure. I can see this working as a portrait crop for a Getaway cover!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

That's a ripper of a shot Stu.
Love the interaction between the hippo and the heron.
Just a great African wild photo IMO.
Well done and TFS!

[christopher galeski]

nice one Steve,good POV,like the composition,nice light.TFS.

[Mike Poole]

I've seen a few of these shots on here, and every single one has made me smile - this is no exception.

Great light, and an all round nice shot

Mike

[John Robinson]

Allbeen said. Wonderful shot Stu. Like the OOF stuff in the back too.
John

[Joseph Przybyla]

I couldn't see it in the thumbnail but when I opened the image I had to chuckle. Great image and title. You sure have been finding interesting perches recently. Thank you for sharing, Stu.

[Karen Pleasant]

Really nice image, Stu! Great interaction and both the hippo and the heron pop out of the background! TFS!

[gail bisson]

This one made me smile!
Excellent light and IQ.
In all the times I have been to Africa I have never seen this behavior. Would love this one in my files!
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack everyone. Always appreciated.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Stu! I like the DOF, behaviour and composition.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Absolutely love this one Stu. The light is great, as is the overall exposure. The heron just pops against the darker surroundings. This may be common behavior, but I don't recall seeing it posted before. Lucky you, to get to witness such sights, and kudos on doing it full justice. TFS.

[adrian dancy]

A very engaging image....huge interest quality and appeal. In a word perfect:)