Grey crowned crane

[Ajit Huilgol]

The grey crowned crane is a spectacularly coloured bird, and I couldn't resist taking this close-up of one. That it opened its mouth at the time I pressed the shutter release was a bonus.
Species: Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum)
Location: Amboseli NP, Kenya
Date: May 2009
Camera: Canon 1D Mlll
Lens: Canon 500 f4 with 1.4 TC
Specs: ISO 400, f 7.1, 1/1600s, beanbag on vehicle
Thank you for taking the time out to look and for your comments/ critiques

[Lorant Voros]

Very nice portrait. Love the "head piece" with the good DOF, the open beak and the nice clean BG. Spot on exposure, but maybe you could bring out some more detail in the black? Congrats.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi Ajit :)

THis is rather super if I may say so. Wonderful framing, the hairdo is fabulous and scream a huge bonus. Awesome!

[Stu Bowie]

Perfect timing to capture the open beak, and the show of the tongue, certainly puts this over the top. Overall, pin sharp, and good job on the crest.

[Dave Barnes]

Super IQ, good colour and detail. Open mouth a bonus. Nice comp.

[Mohanram Kemparaju]

Good to see your images here doc.Love the head angle and the DOF, and agree with Lorant and getting some more details out of the blacks...

[Daniel Belasco]

Nice bird. Real sharp with good colors.

[Krijn Trimbos]

I agree with the above! Gorgeous shot! Lovely detail, excellent pose, and great colours. Love the tongue!

[Harshad Barve]

This is fantastic capture , loved the HA , BG , Open beak and tounge
lovely crest and colors
I am liking it as posted
TFS

[Rob Drummond]

fantastic portrait - striking detail

cheers
Rob

[David Fletcher]

Superb portrait Ajit. Crisp and tack sharp. Calling pose a nice bonus and good details in the whites.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Welcome Guruji, nice to see you here. beautiful close up this, the blacks seems ok to me as thats the best possible as the conditions looks overcast to me, great details, would prefer more room around, congrats...

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

killer pose and stunning bg!