A singing Cape Rock-thrush

[Richard Flack]

Cape Rock-thrush
Montusi Mountain Lodge, Northern Drakensberg, South Africa

Canon 7d Mkii | 400mm f2.8 | ISO 400 | f5.6 | 1/600 sec | Exp -0.3 |
Sharpened for web, adjustments to vibrancy and brightness.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice looking bird, excellent pose with the beak open.
Great light and nice detail.

[Isaac Grant]

Long ago I took a birding trip to South Africa and this bird was a highlight for me. Actually just being in those mountains was amazing. Saw so many fantastic birds as well there like the Rockjumper, Lammergeier, Black Harrier, the Siskin and so many others. Would love to go back one day. I went there with Robin Guy. Not sure if you know or knew him but he was senselessly murdered in an armed robbery.

I love your photo. The pose and the perch are just right. Open mouth takes it over the top combined with a smooth and muted back ground. If I were being super picky I would wish that you had just a bit more room to the right as the bird seems a bit tight in the frame. Also wish that we could see a bit more of that beautiful plant it is perched on as well.

This photo brought back many memories. Thanks for that.

[Marina Scarr]

Fun bird, pose and nice perch. I'd like to see this with a looser crop.

[Richard Flack]

Thanks so much for the response Isaac, appreciate the kind words and the advice. I fortunately have enough canvas to loosen the crop up a bit and will post something shortly.
Glad you had the opportunity to visit the Drakensberg mountains. The areas is one of my favourite birding destinations!

[Richard Flack]

Thanks Marina and Isaac, hope you prefer this one, appreciate the input. (I had to smooth out the bottom left by getting rid of a tiny bit of foliage)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes, the looser comp works better. I still thinking you could squeak in a bit more a bottom, but OK as is on the repost. I love the singing pose and the way the subject is gripping the perch.