Lilac-breasted Roller

[Morkel Erasmus]

This image was taken earlier this week in the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. It's a considerable crop, and this is where I really love my 7D, being able to crop considerably if the exposure was good to begin with.

I was tempted to leave space in it as a landscape format, but decided against it during processing. We waited for him to take off, but as they so often do, he just sat and gave us the finger. :(

All comments and critique most welcome.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f7.1 @ 1/2000 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +1.0 to compensate for the cloudy BG

[Lorant Voros]

My favorite bird in Africa. I think it is very elegant and always a good subject to photograph.

Nice and sharp; love the pose and the catch light in the eye. Composition works for me. It looks a little dark on my screen, but I am on a trip with my laptop, so I can't give realistic critic on that end.
Thanks for sharing. I will be back in Africa this year; hope to see this nice bird as well.
Lorant

[Arthur Morris]

Brightness looks perfect. I love the soft, soft light and the sharpness. A small crop from the rear would improve the COMP and after that you can lose the bright bit of whitewash on the perch.

[Troy Lim]

Lovely picture, what a beautiful bird, great BG with clouds.
I am seeing a little halo around the bird, can anyone else confirm that?

[Arthur Morris]

I am not seeing a halo even when I tilt the screen forward and back....

[Troy Lim]

I am not seeing a halo even when I tilt the screen forward and back....

Maybe it is from the white clouds, an illusion.

[Joe Senzatimore]

No halo here either. a beautiful subject captured in a wonderful manor. I would like to see it as a horizontal as well as I feel there is too much perch in the vertical. Still a magnificent image either way.

[Ken Watkins]

Morkel,

Surely this must be Africas most photographed bird:)

I am glad you left the colours "natural".

On my last trip they did not sit still as much as normal, must have been the weather.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the comments everyone...

here is a repost incorporating Artie's crop and perch suggestions.

[Morkel Erasmus]

and here is a landscape format...

[Arthur Morris]

thanks for the comments everyone... here is a repost incorporating Artie's crop and perch suggestions.

Well done. I love students who listen :) Even sweeter!

[christopher galeski]

very nice Morkel,nice and sharp,good natural colers,nice BG,and no halo on my screen.thanks.

[David Thomasson]

I see a slight halo around the top of the head, but I think the clouds are just brighter in that area. Either way, it's asy enough to fix. I'm torn between the vertical crop and the pano. I like both. Beautiful capture.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Christopher & David...

[Stu Bowie]

Just got back from Pilanesberg for the day, so a bit behind. Lovely natural colours, sharp, and the ruffled feathers add interest. I like your OP, as you may have made it a tad tight on the left with the repost. Just love the clouds in the BG mate.

[Rachel Hollander]

I like the vertical repost the best. Great photo of my favorite African bird. Btw I don't see a halo in the original just the whisps of clouds.

Rachel

[Morkel Erasmus]

thank you Stu & Rachel...