The stare

[Betsie Storm]

Again, bearded vulture at Giant's Castle. I went for a fairly tight crop on this one. C&C welcome.

EXIF: Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Date/Time: 2009:10:12 09:33:08
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 500mm

[Harshad Barve]

Amazing shot , great details and killer looks , BG is awesome , tight crop works fine for me here
TFS

[Clement Francis]

Betsie this is too gorgeous, I don't know when my time will come to photograph this beauty. An over all jammer of an image

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Betsie, love the eye contact, and the gliding posture. Overall nice and sharp, and GC BG's always produce the goods. Pops very well from the BG too. Well captured. GC is a place I still need to get to. Cheers.

[Marc Mol]

You've ticked ALL the boxes here Betsy, lovely image!
Great HA, eye contact, nice and sharp, good exp, BG & comp.

[Betsie Storm]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated!

[John Ippolito]

Gotta love that eye contact and look back. Nice detail and a great BG. Well done.

[Geraldo Hofmann]

Love it .... funny way to fly ... doesn't pay attention to the traffic ...hope there are nor many obstacles :-)

Geraldo

[Tony Whitehead]

Unique pose with attitude, Betsy. The edges of the wings and tail look a bit soft - did you do a selection to blur out the BG? I really like the fluttering feathers over the back.

[Danny Laredo]

This is super Betsie, love the fact you got this at eye level. BG is excellent.

[Betsie Storm]

Thanks, everyone.
Geraldo- they do some really funny things when soaring, I have some images where the head is turned almost under the wing :)
Tony- yes, I did a slight BG blur but the wing edges & tail were a bit soft on the original image, pity. I like those fluttering feathers too; in a few other images it is even more pronounced.

[Raul Quinones]

Great shot, cool pose, nice sharpness, color and background.

[philperry]

Fabulosu Betsie. I cannot wait to book for my 2010 visit. NExt time I am going to get lucky with an adult bird!

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Betsie: Your title says it all. What an action shot! Every time I see a BIF shot, the next one is better. Thanks.

[David Fletcher]

Fabulous shot Betsie. Nailed that stare. All round, pretty cool and a huge thanks for sharing. Somehow, GC has to go on the wish list.

[Betsie Storm]

Raul, Phil, Danny & Dave, thanks for looking, taking time to comment & kind comments, appreciated!

[Marina Scarr]

Hi Betie: You have a fabulous and unique capture here. What a gorgeous BG and I like the way the wings portray movement. The head turn is of course the icing on the cake! Thank you for sharing this gem.