Red-wattled Lapwing Courtship

[Mital Patel]

Red-wattled Lapwing (vanellus_indicus)
Camera : Canon 40D
Lens : Canon 500mm F/4 EF L + 1.4 tc
Exposure : 1/800sec @ 700mm
Aperture : f/8
ISO Rating : 250
Captured On : Nov 21 2009, 10:35 am
Location : Thol Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, INDIA

a courtship display of Red-wattled lapwing. wish i could have got the tail spread as when they are in full mood they expose their breast and make their tail fan shape and then start to sing a song. it was good show by this fella but i could only manage to get this image as i was having my morning tea after a nice session near the gypsy and not ready.

C&C Welcome

[Fabs Forns]

WOW, Mital, what a poser, he must be a top model :)
No wonder they do this to attract a mate, stunning.
Perfect head angle and catch light.

[Ben Egbert]

Very nice, everything perfect here.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Agreed with Fabs! Perfect image Mitalbhai. Love the comp and green BG. What a stunning bird! :)

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Mital! He looks very proud.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love it Mital! You may want to tame the dry OOF curved grasses touching the breast, but man what a proud and confident looking individual :-)

[Harshad Barve]

He looks like a rock star , Picture perfect Mitalbhai
TFS

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Great pose & exposure!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Spectacular species, and classic portrait of this guy - perfect HA. I would remove the oof grass stems in front of the bird?

[Rob Drummond]

Love the pose Mital -our masked lapwing strike a similar pose during their courtship activities

cheers
Rob