Wing Stretch

[Stu Bowie]

This is a Lesser Striped Swallow, and was captured at my favourite location - Pilanesberg National Park. I was set up for a take off shot, and not sure why my F/stop was only F/4.0, thus the high SS. Most times, one can aim your lens in any direction, and you are guaranteed a lovely smooth BG, and each direction will be a different colour.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +1.4 TC = 420mm
1/4000
F/4.0
ISO 640

Hand Held.

[Alex Becker]

I love the clean simple perch, the nice stretch pose, great detail on the bird, and the really nice background, I can see why this is a favorite location. Colors on the bird are very nice. Good HA. TFS

[Tim Foltz]

Stu, Unique pose, good HA, BG and sharp, very nice.

-Tim

[annmpacheco]

Stu, I fell in love with this masterpiece! Everything is sweet, IQ, HA, BG, perch, and the lovely full wing stretch. Im enjoying every pixel! Superb. I even like the shadows, it has an edge of mystery...

[Isaac Grant]

Love this one. Great details, perch and background. I have fond memories of these birds. They sound like our Purple Martins. I have video of them singing to each other and courting each other.

[John Whaley]

It is a pleasing image Stu. I like the direct eye contact and open wing pose. The background is beautiful. I might lift the shadows on the feet and the top of the perch a bit.

[Dorian Anderson]

Really nice shot. The smooth, graded BG is beautiful, and the lighting on and angle of the head are perfect.
Fanned wing adds a really nice and elegant touch.

[Jay Ing]

lovely background, detail and light. Dig the look on the face... like he's asking, "Yesss?"

[gail bisson]

Very nice Stu. I just love the killer BG's that you get in Pilanesburg.
Nice wing stretch with a great HA.
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the positive feedback. Always appreciated.

[Mike Poole]

Nailed it Stu, great stretch, and the colours are superb

Mike

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing stretch, IQ, perch, sweet BG and composition. Very well done Stu!

[Doug Brown]

Love the pose and great eye contact. Plenty of DOF in spite of the wide-open aperture. Very nice BG too.

[David Salem]

Oh my goodness Stu this is fantastic. The pose, the colors, the perch, and the unbelievable background make this a real stand out for me.
Very nice work.