If you slip now, it's a nosejob you will need!

[Callie de Wet]

One of the largest vultures in the world, these guys are massive, 115 cm. Beak-wise they have the largest beak of all raptors in Africa.
Lappet-faced Vulture, Aegypius tracheliotus, Kingdom: Animalia (Animals), Phylum: Chordata (Vertebrates), Class: Aves (Birds), Order: Ciconiiformes (Storklike Birds), "Family: Accipitridae (Vultures, Eagles, Hawks, Harriers, Buzzards, Etc.)", SwartaasvoëlOhrengeier, Abutre-real, Vautour oricou, Oorgier, Vulnerable
D300S; 600f/4 + 1.4;, ISO 640; F/5.6; 1/2000; +0,3 EV; 13h34PM
NR on BG, selective sharpening on face and feet, selective hue on face, cloned out overexposure on top of the head from neck area, using reduce capacity,
Taken at Kwang, about 20 km north of Nossob

[Dan Fleming]

Nice pose with the wings outstretched. Background looks good. The head looks a little soft to me; might use a little sharpening.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Really loved the timing here.. great pose this...

[Gary Jones]

Timing is spot on. You've handled the light well for time of day and still got detail in the shadow. Nice sighting.

Well done!!

[Morkel Erasmus]

top shot Callie! love the moment and wingspread. I would sharpen the bird a notch more, and maybe run a cooling filter to tame the harsh light...

[Ofer Levy]

Nice pose and you did well with what looks like harsh light. Maybe another round of sharpening.

[Doug Brown]

I like the lift-off pose. If the light is harsh like this, I will sometimes bring the BG down and lighten the bird in PP. I've done that here, along with some additional sharpening of the bird. It's a little rough around the edges, but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. How do you like it?

[Markus Jais]

Awesome raptor!
You hit the button at the exact right moment. Great action and wing pose.

Markus

[Stu Bowie]

Super take off posture Callie, and no wonder these guys can soar for ages with wingspans like this. Another species I would like one day.

[Callie de Wet]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Yes, the light and the sun is BAD for most of the day in the Kalahari.
Hi Doug, you did a splendid job, thanks too for the info, I will try it out.