Lilac-breasted Roller (South Africa)

[Dorian Anderson]

As this is the bird everyone wants to see in South Africa, I'll give the people what they want as I start a long string of posts from South Africa and Namibia.

I saw hundreds of these bird across my 6-week trip -- most on telephone wires and posts along the road -- but this image represents the lone photographic crack it afforded (close enough, eye level, clean BG, etc).

As per the rules in Kruger NP, where you're not allowed to leave your vehicle unless you're in a fenced camp, this was shot out the driver's side window of our rental car. Kruger is amazing, but I did experience some
amount of photo frustration because I wasn't allowed to stalk anything (lest a lion or leopard stalk me).

Canon 600mm f/4 IS II + 1.4x III on EOS R5
1/1250 at f/5.6, ISO 1600
Processed in LR CC and Topaz DN. Cloned two tiny twigs which branched off perch directly below the tail.

[Colin Driscoll]

Wow that is beautiful, perfection! You've set a high standard for the remainder of your Africa posts.

[Brian Sump]

I bet it was a super trip overall Dorian. One I'd sure like to enjoy one day.

As for this beauty, what a stellar specimen. The colors are quite fantastic and are enjoyable among such a pretty bkg.

Based on the difficulty of shooting, one could not request a prettier perch but just to execute surely brings you great joy. Not a whole lot to nit, looking forward to more!

[Ian McLachlan]

Absolutely agree with the above. Colours are LBR and Africa perfect all over.Soft light -great.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Dorian ... had a laugh about your intro , not leaving the car in any SA park unless you are on a walking safari . At least when you are traveling with your rental car .... yes it makes shooting birds sometimes difficult .

Lovely capture of this beautiful species ... with a perfect head turn . The soft light helped for easy exposure and keeping tons of details .

Looks nice overall with your usual high techs , nicely done .

Personally I would crop to portrait ...

TFS Andreas

[Kurt Bowman]

Beautiful image all around Dorian! Love the detail, the colors and BG! I'm fine with the perch and would love to have this in my files

[Steve Kaluski]

this was shot out the driver's side window of our rental car. Kruger is amazing, but I did experience some amount of photo frustration because I wasn't allowed to stalk anything (lest a lion or leopard stalk me).

Welcome to our world in Wildlife Dorian, however places like Botswana will allow you to go off road, and if you want to follow Cheetah on foot try Tswalu, that is exhilarating.

Overall colours look good and with nice detail, perhaps a tad bright, but... good job on a clean backdrop.

TFS
Steve