Duelling Spurfowls

[Stu Bowie]

On a recent trip to our Kruger National Park, I came across these two Swainsons Spur Fowls having an altercation. These two are not quite full adults, as the adults have more red on their faces. As I was the only car on this gravel road, I managed to position the car so as to shoot out my window. Unfortunately the 'action' shots, their eyes were closed, so I went with this image with a bit of dust from the feet.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8
1/2000
F/8.0
ISO 640

Hand Held from the car

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stu, nice work and a subject rarely posted.

Like the kicked up dust from the feet and good call in having them separated. I might open it up by another third and come in slightly tighter on a 16 x 9?

TFS
Steve

[Bill Dix]

Nice action shot with good head angles on both birds. I can't blame them for closing their eyes once those spurs start flying.

[David Salem]

Very cool action frame Stu. Nice colors HAs and details and yes, a rarely seen bird, so thanks for posting this nice looking image of this species.

[Tim Foltz]

Stu, very prehistoric looking birds nice details and colors, do you have enough room for a tighter crop?

-Tim

[William Dickson]

Lovely frame Stu. Lovely interaction and detail on both birds. Good HA's as well.

Nice one

Will

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Great looking birds, Stu. Like the action and the dust/dirt raised by their feet. Like the complimentary warm brown tones of the gravel road.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[annmpacheco]

terrific behaviors Stu and a great chance to see these "uncommon" spur fowls. Id be a fan of a tighter crop to get a bigger taste of them, wonderful find and image.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the feedback everyone.

[gail bisson]

Add me to the group asking for tighter crop.
I like the pop of red against all the browns.
Nice and sharp and great DOF. I am always thrilled when I get 2 birds sharp in one frame.
TFS,
Gail

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Nice Image. I like the nice head angles of the birds and raised foot.

I think a tighter crop would be nice..

[John Whaley]

I keep coming back to your image and find it pleasing. I like the red cheeks of the birds and complimentary brown tones in the birds and road. The poses, dust and raised foot add to the action.

[Isaac Grant]

Great interaction Stu and nice job with getting both birds sharp. On my only visit to SA I did not get to visit Kruger but hopefully one day. My only problem is that I wish they were not on a dirt road but in some more "natural" habitat.

[Stu Bowie]

My only problem is that I wish they were not on a dirt road but in some more "natural" habitat.

Thanks Isaac. If they were in more 'natural' habitat, you would not see them.