African Hoopoe

[Ken Watkins]

I must admit that thes look much the same as those that we used to have in our garden in France, they are however apparently "more rufous".

Taken in not wonderful light in Mokola National Park, South Africa, 21st April 2010

EOS 1D MkIV

500mm F4 IS hand-held from vehicle

F8, ISO 800, 1/320

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Good-looking specimen, I also like the sharpness and wish the head were parallel to the sensor. There is a slight magenta cast on my monitor.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Love these birds and they were a definite challenge to capture. First time I have seen one in a tree. Well captured Ken and I like the pose and composition. Good detail and sharpness . Congratulations on a fine image.

[John Chardine]

I'm getting a sense of déja vu Ken! Remember your beautiful zebra image here:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=64732

and I asked the question about head angles and if our goals are different for birds and non-birds. I wanted to generate a bit of discussion there but it fell flat. Anyway, I really think that this lovely Hoopoe and the Zebra image would have benefitted from a different head angle- one where the head is turned a little towards you, and IMO more than just parallel to the sensor, as Axel suggests. Just imagine this Hoopoe with a look-back like that! Overall I don't mind the BG except for the branch behind the neck of the bird. Agree with the magenta cast which is easily remedied in LAB colour.