An adult Bearded Vulture gives a juvenile a swift smack with his wing to show him who is boss. Taken at Giants Castle in the Drakensberg region of South Africa.
Great timing, feather textures and BG, Mitchell. Pity about the clipped wings. May be worth spending the time to add canvas and reconstruct the wings if so inclined. Cropping a little from the right to decentre the adult may be good.
Thanks Tony, I have indeed considered spending a day on this image and trying to get those clipped wings back, I have enough images from the weekend and I am sure I can find similar wing tips .... going to be quite a job but I think in the end it will be worth it.
Hi Jim, baited, though I wish I could say it was natural meat and bones. The park authorities encourage baiting during the winter months to help keep the food supplies up especially for the threatened Bearded Vultures.
Great interaction, light, details and BG. I was wondering how all that food got up there, thanks for the explanation. I think it would be worth it to do some reconstructive surgery.
Hey Mitchell, Wonderful capture. Post the orig without the border or the copyright and I will have your wingtips ready in about ten minutes. Then you can ask me how I did it.
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A) Excellent action, I just wish that the point of contact wasn't so far in the extreme upper left corner as to my eyes, the wing / head interaction kiunda gets lost as I go to the adult with the firey red eyes first.
B) Maybe it's just me, but I think the image would have a lot more power without the piles of bait...even if it is allowed in that particular area.
Love it, love it, love it! My dream would be to photograph these birds! Grerat action, detail, colors, light, BG, moment, everything is amazing and although with the wing tips it would improve, as it is it looks preety much unbeatable! Congratulations. I like this one even better than your previous one.