Marabou stork

[Steve Kaluski]

I think perhaps I had been a bit too long in the sun when shooting this guy, f/22, a tad OTT, but not bad at ISO5000!!!

There was a large flock of these Marabou Storks fishing and just hanging out along a stretch of river near camp, normally I would associate them with scavenging on carcasses. Similar to Vultures, these guys have no feathers along the neck, allowing then to delve deeply into rotting, decaying bodies without getting covered in the remains, but with a face, only a Mother could love.

Whites just a tad warm, but not blown.

Thanks to those who posted or viewed on the last posting.

Steve

Subject: Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) late afternoon
Location: Botswana
Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
Lens: 500f/4MKII with 2x MKIII HH
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/22 ISO5000 HH
Original format: Portrait, FF on width, trimmed at the top
Processed via: LRCC Classic & PSCC2018

[Jonathan Ashton]

Top notch Steve, processing looks spot on, excellent sharpness too considering f22. colours are amazing
Being mighty picky now but the bill tip appears a tad soft.

[Steve Kaluski]

Being mighty picky now but the bill tip appears a tad soft.

Good call, will take a look as I ran this conventionally.

[Steve Kaluski]

Jon, just looked at the Raw and it does just tail off sadly, so the posting is reflective.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Some would say ugly, I say not so. Unique and colorful, the feathers on the side are gorgeous, from slate color to aqua to green. A lesson learned that F/22 was still not enough to ensure equal sharpness at the tip of the bill. I guess backing up would have helped knowing what we know now. Nice image, thank you for sharing, Steve.

[William Dickson]

Love those colours on the wing blending with the fluffy whites. Infact the colours throughout blend real well, with the reds on the head bringing together a very nice image.

Well done Steve

Will

[Steve Kaluski]

A lesson learned that F/22 was still not enough to ensure equal sharpness at the tip of the bill. I guess backing up would have helped knowing what we know now.

More, just wasted DoF & ISO Joe .

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Will, not something you would find on Mull.

[William Dickson]

Cheers Will, not something you would find on Mull.

You never know nowadays. Last year we got a Red Grouse on the Isle of May

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Man, this thing is dog butt ugly LOL!
Your portrait makes it very appealing and I love the details, the grey "hair" on its scalp.
Bill tip mentioned.
TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, perfect light to show up the detail on this fellow, and has also shown up the iridescence on the wing feathers. I do like the fine plumage behind his head, and all against a smooth clean BG. I would remove the second catchlight.