This image was created near the Lower Sabie rest camp in the Kruger National Park. The Swainson's Spurfowl is the most common spurfowl/francolin but is mostly seen on the ground scratching around dung patches, small clearings or skirting across the road millimeters away from the registration plate. I was lucky enough to get this guy (later joined by a second one) on a fallen, burnt out, tree trunk - which gave me the opportunity for a good background. He was dosing off blissfully !!
Nice soft light and really captures the sleepy mood. Wondering if flash +BB may have been an option to put a little more light in the shaded areas of the belly/legs/perch. Might have disturbed the snooze though:)
The story helps establish the look of fatigue, but on its own I would prefer the eye more open. Good comp and colours. I find the perch a little contrasty - a bit of work there may even it out nicely (S/H, or dodge and burn would work).
I like the perch and the sharpness and color of this image is increased with the increase in contrast. Lower the contrast and everything in sharpness and color would drop from A+ to A-.
Good night !
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