Full Wing spread - Cape Vulture

[Stu Bowie]

Another incoming Cape Vulture from the Conservation Centre north west of Pretoria. These vultures are totally wild and come down to feed on carcasses left out for them to feed on. They then return to their nests in the surrounding mountains to feed their young. This was taken from a glass hide ( one way glass ) and as the glass goes all the way up to the roof, we can see the vultures high in the sky, circling as dots, and then slowly dropping down, and then coming to land near the carcass. I liked the full show of the primaries on this guy.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +1.4 TC = 420mm
1/2500
F/6.3
ISO 800

Hand held inside the hide ( shooting through a small sliding glass window )

[Steve Kaluski]

Hey Bud, another cool and striking image, love that outstretch wing spread. I assume they are landing into the wing? My only wish would be that the tree on the RHS wasn't there.
See you in a couple of weeks Bud, serious catch up and a few glasses, cannot believe how full on it has become, hitting the ground running...

TFS
Steve

[William Dickson]

Awesome Stu. Probably your best vulture image IMO. Love the flight pose, pushing forward out the screen. I may try sharpening the bird a little to give it a wee bit more impact. Great looking BG which 'fits' the bird well.

Will

[David Policansky]

What a wonderful image; great pose, both wings and head; and perfect exposure. (There are mountains around Pretoria??)

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hey Stu

This is fantastic mate, well positioned in the frame, love that giant wingspread. The only thing that seems to compete for attention is the dark tree trunk in the BG, but it's no deal breaker.

On a different note, I don't know how you can keep up with all us people visiting you in a matter of weeks. I hope you have good beer in SA mate!

[Stu Bowie]

I don't know how you can keep up with all us people visiting you in a matter of weeks. I hope you have good beer in SA mate!

Thanks mate. I feel privileged that members on this site want to catch with me when visiting SA. We are really looking forward to catching up with you and Netra, Rachel, and Steve and Alison. There is plenty to choose from when it comes to the liquid stuff.

[gail bisson]

This looks great Stu.
Love the flared primaries and allula.
I would dodge/lighten the crap out of that tree trunk.
Love the feeling of flight with this image,
Gail