Red-billed Oxpecker Wing-flex

[Morkel Erasmus]

I've had some good opportunities with these oxpeckers throughout the year.

This one was perched on a blue wildebeest. Own crit is the light turning harsh (was about 11am by this time).

Taken in the Kruger National Park.

Techs:
Canon 1000D with 100-400mm L IS USM
f11 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO 400
Exp +0.3

[Stu Bowie]

Great close up of the oxpecker. I like the wing stretch, showing good sharp detail, and the colours look natural. Stands out nicely against the BG too. Great image Morkel.

[David Fletcher]

Like this image Morkel. Good pose and the details are excellent. Killer bg too. AS Stuart said! WD!

[Elmar Venter]

Nice one, Morkel. Nice sharpness, pose and background. Is this a large crop or were you really that close?

[Brian Barcelos]

You did good with the light here. Nice comp and the wing stretch is nice. Looks like the head could use a lille more sharpening IMO. Congrats

Brian

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Brian, Dave, Stu & Elmar

@ Elmar - about 50% crop :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the raised wings, eye contact and complementing BG. I would give it more room at the right since the bird is a bit too centered for my taste.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Axel. this was actually shot through an opening between the bushes so I cropped out all the OOF foliage to get this composition :)

[Gal Shon]

The Comp is not well balance for my taste, but you had the OOF foliage
Like the pose, colors and eye contact.
I think I would open the aperture a bit, to get more speed.

[Suzanne Huot]

This striking image really got my attention, however after looking at it for a while I felt it was a little too crowded and would have prefered more space to the right of it and perhaps a tad to the top.but i guess after reading your comments about cloning out some leaves you were not left with too many options ,other than perhaps a little wall papering added to ot

[Dave Barnes]

Nice comp and detail Morkel. these guys eyes always look OOF to me.

[Harshad Barve]

lovely compo , BG , Details , Loved the wing position
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Harshad, Dave, Suzanne & Gal!

I didn't realise I was shooting at f11 until after he struck this pose :)

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Harsh light is not prominent at all.
Very nice image and rarely seen this species on such a high quality image.

Szimi

[Morkel Erasmus]

appreciate your comment Szimi!