Magpie Shrike

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Captured this Magpie Shrike last month in southern Africa. They will generally be found in a sparsely wooded location with lots of grasses. We would see them from time to time often perched on a bush with distracting branches, but got lucky with this one and he stayed for a few seconds. C&C welcome.

D500, Sigma 150-600mm C @ 600mm, 1/1600s, f 6.3, HH, ISO 1250.

Removed a distracting branch in cs6.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[John Mack]

Man the tail is huge. Pretty nice frame. The perch is a little big. Nice background and good detail on the bird.

[Dorian Anderson]

Clone job looks good as I don't see anything. Knotty perch is cool but does overpower the bird a bit for me. Might also want to turn
down the whites a bit, but exposure on these super high contrast birds is really tough.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

He really gave you a top perch (literally) Geoffrey! Love it! I always find black birds to be the most difficult when trying to show detail but you've done well.

The branch and BG look familiar - was this at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (just around the corner from me and one of my favourite birding spots)?

[Geoffrey Montagu]

He really gave you a top perch (literally) Geoffrey! Love it! I always find black birds to be the most difficult when trying to show detail but you've done well.

The branch and BG look familiar - was this at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (just around the corner from me and one of my favourite birding spots)?

Thanks Tobie. This image was captured in the Okavango Delta.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Geoff, I like the high perching here, and good eye contact too. You were lucky to show off the long tail, and even more lucky to to get him in the open.

When in Africa you have to expect everything to be hidden behind distractions.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Thanks everyone. Stu, the minute I read your comment, re hidden behind distractions, I started remembering, especially some occasions with smaller species.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu