Griffon Vulture

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I happened to be in Spain earlier this month and had the opportunity to do some bird photography. Jorge and Juan from BPN were kind enough to outline some opportunities in the greater Valencia area (for details: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=17228).

This image was created at a Vulture Feeding Station near Valderrobres in the Dels Ports mountain range. Unfortunately, exactly one week before I left for Spain my 40D decided to quit with an Error 99 and I had to resort to my old 30D for the trip. Based on using the latter for one week there is no doubt in my mind that the 40D is a vast improvement compared to the 30D...

Anyway, I hope you like this image and the ones to follow. Thanks for looking! JR

Canon 30D, 400F5.6, 1/320s, F6.3, ISO-400, Manual Exposure, Handheld

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very nice "in-your-face" type flight image. I like the intensity and the depicted power of this guy's flight. In the repost here I've lightened the eyes, got rid of the vehetation growing out of the vulture's back and further cropped on the left to make it look less like an accidental clip of the feathers. Just a few slight tweaks to strenghten an already good image :-)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the crop idea and removal of the branches in the BG in the repost. Great find, light and details!

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Daniel, Axel,

Thanks for taking the time to comment and especially editing the image. Yes, I also like the tighter crop idea. It's something I will make use of going forward.

Thanks! JR

[Linda Robbins]

Very intense look on this vulture, and I love those huge feet. Daniel's ps work was a huge improvement to this nice image. Well captured!