Burchell's Sandgrouse

[Morkel Erasmus]

This image was created in last light in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa.

Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f5.6 @ 1/640 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +0.3

[ramesh anantharaman]

fabulous shot, wish the grass in front could come off here.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hey Bro
I know that by being part of this wonderful and supportive community you would have sought the most optimal angle (and least cluttered) so I am OK as is. Super clean and sharp man! Perfect HA. Only wish to see more of the partner bird. Why not try a tight vert crop? Well done mate. ;)

[Kiran Poonacha]

beautiful one bhai, would have loved the see the head of the chick too, would also suggest to knock off twig on the birds wing, loved the light, good look back pose and details, congrats...

[Chris van Rooyen]

Well done on a good image (light, HA, sharpness) in difficult circumstances. I know the species - they are deceptively difficult to photograph! I would try to remove the twig.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the alert pose, sharpness and light. Aside from the twig I wish we could see the head of the chick. Do you have an image in this series that shows the little one better?

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the kind words everyone...

Axel - as Chris said these birds are very skittish so this was the only good shot I got before they took off :(

[David Fletcher]

Cracking shot Morkel. Tack sharp. Congrats on getting this.

[Simon Bennett]

Very sharp and good pose.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Mate, good pose and HA, and stands out nicely against the lighter BG. Yep, most fowls, francolins are skittish - its a pity, as most of them have lovely detail and colours.

[Chris Kotze]

Sharp and super colours well captured Morkel

[Morkel Erasmus]

thank you Chris, Stu, Simon & Dave...

[Morkel Erasmus]

looked at my bird-book again and it seems like I had the ID mistaken - I think this is a female Namaqua Sandgrouse. They look similar though :o

[James Salywoda]

Beautiful shot of this species Morkel the light really looks fantastic as this shot is perfectly captured.

[nothsafoto]

Hey Morkel,

Fancy seeing you here. Normally I catch you on SANParks forum. Great looking Sandgrouse and you mammals are great too. You had a good trip to KTP and KNP.

Rob

[Harshad Barve]

lovely shot , nice HA and details
I liked it very much as presented
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the kind comments Harshad Bhai, Rob & Jim :)

Rob - what's your nick on the SANParks Forum?