Hamerkop

[Steve Kaluski]

Shot very early in the morning around 6.30am just as the sun was rising. This Hamerkop just freezes like a Heron, waiting for any movement or vibration of a fish passing by. Water in these pans was of a premium, as the big catfish floundered in the shallow waters, too big for a Hamerkop, but easy pickings for the Fish Eagles & Martial Eagles that just sat and waited patiently on the edge.

I might be wring, but judging by the 'white' markings on the plumage, this could be a female, Stu B, WDYT???


Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) early morning fishing in a pan
Location: Botswana
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 MKII with 1.4MKIII HH
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/11 ISO2500 EV+.33
Original format: Landscape, slight crop
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2015.5

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, sweet, sweet light here, and I like the angled pose. Good feather detail showing up, and thats a killer reflection. With regards to the difference in the male and female, they actually look the same ( same colour plumage )The female is just slightly lighter in weight.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Stu, I was going more 'basic' for the ID, as I thought the markings on the rear plumage may have been from the male, if you get my drift.

Got to say, that light is awesome there, as you know.

Cheers
Steve
PS Good to see things are improving back home.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Stunning light Steve, love that golden brown plumage and the way the Hamerkop "melts" into its own reflection in the water.

Wonderful pose, nice HA and catchlight:) Perfect techs, very pleasing composition, superb detail as expected...

I noticed a Hamerkop on the roof of the house at 7:30 this morning, I guess he was heading for my pond...Kind of frustrating as I could not even contemplate being late for work, especially at month-end...
Enjoyed viewing, so much, wonderful work Sir

Warmest regards,

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Gabriela, lets hope he's not building a nest on your roof and only passing by as you say, however the nests are massive, bordering on perhaps twice the size of an Osprey. Even in flight they are big birds, this does not do it justice.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Steve, some years ago I discovered an extraordinary Hamerkop nest at a cat rehabilitation place nearby. It was massive, and had a great number of entrances to its various "apartments". A couple of times I was lucky to see the Hamerkops building, or maintaining, their "flats". The nest eventually collapsed, but after many years. A number of generations inhabited this nest, which to me resembled a messy, unfinished thatched roof. Surprisingly most visitors did not notice it, they were too taken with the cheetahs and other wild creatures in the enclosures nearby. I felt privileged to know of its existence and paid a visit whenever possible, what a pity the photography bug did not bite me at the time!

Right now the drought around here is so severe, we have not had proper rain for over a year. Our little pond has become a haven for numerous birds (kingfishers included) so we are not surprised to see Hamerkops among our visitors. I promise to share if I have the opportunity to capture some images, I doubt they'll be as lovely as yours though. You are being too modest, I think your frame is absolutely stunning and it certainly does justice to the species!

[Isaac Grant]

Really nice shot. Light and details are great. Excellent reflection as well. I would prefer if it was shot at a lower angle. Not always possible of course. Also I find the little black spots on the right side a bit distracting. If mine I would clone them out. Personal preference. While at it I would also remove the brownish foliage at the top of the frame as well. The light and the details are so great on this that I want to be drawn into the middle. As presented I find those other things a bit distracting. I should add as well that it looks like this bird was pooped on by another bird. It is all over the flight feathers. Would probably clean that up as well. Still an excellent picture. On my only trip to South Africa, this was the only bird recorded on every day of the trip. Could not go 5 feet without seeing one. Love these guys.

[Joseph Przybyla]

A beautiful, interesting bird. Wonderful reflection and feather detail. I have just added it to my bucket list. Thank you for sharing, Steve.

[Glenn Conlan]

Well done, I don't think I have seen this species posted before. Excellent capture

[William Dickson]

Very well done Steve, fabulous light and terrific details. And, wow what a reflection, you could turn the frame upside down, and it would still look cool. TFS

Will

[Randy Stout]

Steve:

I have never seen this species in the water before, so cool (no pun intended) for that reason. To my eyes, the shooting angle was optimum to capture the best possible reflection.

I do agree about the darker spots on the right, might be tempted to clean them up.

Very interesting about their nest, that they are so large, and multi chambered Does only one family live in each nest?

Cheers

Randy

[David Salem]

Very cool Steve. I really like the pose and reflection on this one. The feather details is fantastic, even on the reflection and the shooting and sun angle has covered the bird perfectly. Well done

[keith mitchell]

Steve agree with all the above comments,one excellent piece of work.

Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks, admittedly not a stunning or striking image compared to some posted here, but I think you need a subject that can deliver that.

In relation to the dark spots on the RHS, yes they can easily be removed, but I felt it would look too clean and perhaps questions may have been ask??? The warmer 'strands' at the top is actually light hitting the water.

To my eyes, the shooting angle was optimum to capture the best possible reflection.

Cheers Randy, as you are not permitted to leave the vehicle (as big cats lurk), then you have to position the jeep to maximise the shooting angle as best you can.