Bateleur

[John Bryant]

Very lucky to get this background and the wing display. It had just rained and the bateleur was drying its feathers whilst the sky was still brightly overcast. You don't often see the chestnut mantle to this extent. Can understand why it is called the "conifer" or "pine" Eagle as the fluffed-up feathers look like a conifer cone.

Taken in the Kruger National Park, South Africa witha Canon EOS 1DMark IV and a Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS lens. 1/640 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200. Rig rested on a BLUBB which I still find the best support.

[Ken Watkins]

John,

Welcome to BPN.

I for one have never the "chestnut mantle" , nor a pose as good as this.

Not to sure about the BG, but presume it was dull following the rain, and if it had not rained then you would not have got the pose.

[arash_hazeghi]

wow, what an amazing bird!!!excellent display, great EXP and SH, it's a bit tight around the wings. well done!
Is this male or female BTW? adult or juvi?

[Arthur Morris]

How great to see you here. "Mind the thorns, boys!" John made several trips to Africa with Todd Gustafson and me a few years back. He is a fine photographer and one of the nicest gentlemen you would ever care to meet. And, he's friends with Ernie Els (who is not doing to badly this year...) Wow, what a pose. EXP perfect and I love the high key effect. Head turn and sharpness perfect. It would be easy to add canvas all around or, to turn this into a horizontal--that might be my preference here. Thanks for the mention of the BLUBB :) Are the brown feathers on the back on all adult males? (Arash: my guess is that it is a young male; the females are brown. I think.)

[John Bryant]

This is an adult female. The female Bateleur is larger than the male but the key identifier is the white under the wing. Almost all the underwing is white in the female whereas the male the is more black down the trailing edge. The attached picture gives a small idea of this. By the way the EC was +1 1/3.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks John. I was wrong. I was thinking of the brown immatures.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

John, big welcome. Looking forward to your work. What a beautiful bird. I really liked the pose...very different and the head turn you caught is perfect. Awesome timing. Loved the high key treatment.

[Nico Steenberg]

Great sharp detail and IQ. Like the pose. Subject's is well exposed with good natural colours. Well done !

[Bill Holsten]

Wonderful image. This is one of my favorite birds and I hope some day to have an image this good. What a great pose.

[Deborah Harrison]

Great image with a very difficult exposure with that background.