African Green Pigeon taking off

[Morkel Erasmus]

Spent a day this past weekend in a VERY hot Kruger Park, and was SUPER STOKED to get this shot. Those residing in Africa will know that this bird is almost never seen in the open, they prefer thick foliage feasting on fruits hanging upside-down from branches much like real parrots (their Afrikaans name means "Parrot Pigeon") :).

This was one of 3 that were quite close to the side of the road and I waited for this shot, yet got only one sharp frame of the take-off.

Light was getting harsh, but as mentioned, this is a great tick off my list...

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f7.1 @ 1/1250 SS @ ISO-800
Exp +0.7

[Alan Murphy]

If the head and eye were sharp this would work for me.

[Paul Lagasi]

Morkel, anytime you can cross one off your list, is a special moment. Agree about eye but if this is the best you got, its always a keeper. It really looks colorful...TFS
Til the next chance at one :).
I've been on hold at 598 life bird images for 6 months :(...no chance for 600 before 2011

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Morkel , you have certainly captured the moment with a great take off in the open. Colours are spot on and so is HA. Would also like a little sharper on the eye and beak.

[Doug Brown]

Really nice take-off pose Morkel! Do wish for better sharpness, but I'd be pretty happy with this frame. I might remove the second stick.

[Richard Stern]

Excellent image, showing off such a colorful bird. I'm not too worried by the slight lack of sharpness of the head, but I think the small right hand stick is a bit distracting.

Richard

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Great colors and action in this one. More head sharpness has been mentioned. Light angle was not helping. Agree re the right stick. Wonder if taking off more from the bottom or in fact a pano crop would make the image even stronger.

Congrats on capturing what sounds like a rare occurrence. Best, JR

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for viewing and commenting, gents.
yes the head and eye could be a tad sharper - but it's all I have of the take-off and will keep it until I get a better one...the perched ones are sharper :o

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Mork, congrats on getting him in the open, as Ive only ever seen these guys in busy BG's. Well timed for the take off, and just love the olive green colour. Another vote for removing the stick LRC.

[Craig Brelsford]

Thank you for the background info on the species, and thank you for daring to post this shot when it would have been easy to post one of your sharper shots of the pigeon perching. I agree with what's been said about the sharpness of the eye and head and the second stick.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the honest comments Craig and Stu...:)
I don't like cloning parts of "natural" shots out (only do it when doing artistic monochrome conversions ;))

[Jan Fourie]

great take off shot Morkel ,I like the pose,colours and comp