Whitebrowed Sparrow-weaver

[John Deakin]

I captured this image during a coffee break on our recent trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa.

These birds are very friendly and know that there will be bread crumbs etc at the picnic spots in the park. I lay down on my belly, hand holding the gear on ground supported elbows to capture this one at ground level in the dust and sand, it was close.

D3
500 + 1.4x extender
F/9
Matrix
ISO 1250
1/2500
Aperture priority

C&C most welcome, thanks. John

[Daniel Cadieux]

One part of me wishes the feet were visible, but another part of me likes it like this as it gives a sense of windy, dusty conditions. Was ISO 1250 deliberate, or an oversight from another situation (looks like you had more than enough SS to lower the ISO significantly)

[John Deakin]

Hi Daniel, I also thought the same about the lack of feet, when I was down on my bellly to get the angle it didn't cross my mind at the time :).

I set at ISO 1250 as I was unsure that I was stable enough with the lens combo used to get a sharp image under the shooting conditions at a lower SS. Belt and braces :) and the D3 handles 1250 quite well.

Thanks for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.

John

[Arthur Morris]

Nicely done with a good EXP. The dark thing to the right of the bird's left leg bugs me. If that is a bread crumb not a seed than this belongs in Avian/Hand of Man

[John Deakin]

Thanks you for taking the time to comment Arhtur,

I agree on the 'dark thing' now you point it out. As far as 'bread crumbs' are concerned, we certainly didn't feed them and to be honest I cannot say if it is a crumb or not for sure, it looked like a seed to me, however, if you would feel happier moving it to HoM by all means I will understand.

John