Secretary Bird

[Ryan Lambert]

The Secretary Bird is an endemic species to Sub-Saharan Africa and is commonly seen striding through the "veld" in search of prey like small mammals, lizards and snakes. The secretary bird is one of the largest Raptors in terms of height standing at around 1.3m. This particular image was taken in the Kruger National Park in the first light of the day. Here you can see the head plumes standing erect. This is most probably a Sub-adult as the adult has a red face.

Camera Model Nikon D80
Lens 300mm
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 4
Exposure Compensation 1
ISO Speed 400
Focal Length 300mm

[Harshad Barve]

What a bird this is ,
Absolute great lighting and nice eye and feather details
TFS
Harshad

[Erich Stevens]

I agree, you took advantage of great light but I wish for a better head angle. Still, a great profile of this fascinating species.

[Mark Dumbleton]

Lovely light and love the standing up plumage! Head angle not the best, but love the expression on the face with the slight open beak. Wow that light is to die for! Well done!

[Markus Jais]

I like the light, color and the feathers at the head. The others already mentioned the head angle. But still beautiful shot as it is.

Markus

[Kiran Poonacha]

From my childhood I always dreamt of seeing this Bird. after I took up bird photography a frame of this sort always worked on my mind. wished for a better head angle. more than that I would say Thanks for sharing.

[christopher galeski]

nice one Ryan,love the light,nice detail,as been said about the HA,but still a magic shot.thanks.

[David Fletcher]

Absolutely love the light Ryan. Fab close up and only wish for abetter HA as mentioned.

[Gal Shon]

I especially like the light angle. the erect plumes gives it that extra unique characteristic.
Wish for a bigger DOF (beak is already OOF) and a better HA.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Ryan, sweet light and love the expression, together with the slight hint of the tongue. I like the grasses in the BG that mimic the crest. Well captured.

[Ramon M. Casares]

This is the first portrait of this species that I have ever seen, I love this species. Nice BG and colors and I wish the head angle was better, more towards you.
COngratulations!

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent detail,colours and light well captured although the HA is not that great it's a super image

[Ryan Lambert]

Thanks for the comments, HA noted, I do have images with more of a front on head angle, but I quite liked the stare captured here which you would not get from another angle.

[Morkel Erasmus]

stunning look on him and sweet light. pin sharp details. I like despite HA Ryan!

[Ryan Lambert]

Many thanks Morkel...