Hitching a ride

[Stu Bowie]

I decided to drive around the nature reserve close to my house yesterday. I came across a herd of buffalo walking alongside the road, and saw this egret enjoying a ride on the back of one of them. The sun was in and out between the clouds, so I am happy with the sharpness I achieved here. Taken early morning. I decided to leave the OOF grasses in the BG. Due to all our rains, the grasslands are full of water, and the buffalo had enjoyed some fun in the water, as can be seen on the hide.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/320
F/5.6
ISO 800

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held from the car.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great IQ and exposure...Love the perch and the OOF BG...I like the OOF grass it adds to the BG and image...great stuff Stuart

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like these types of images...typically african in look and feel. I like the wet look on both the perch, and the egret. I think you could eliminate the lone OOF grasses at right edge (my eyes seem drawn to those) without taking away the feel of habitat by leaving the others behind the egret intact.

[Gary Esman]

Gotta love it. I am thinking the hair sticking up on the back was planned for comp sake? Great job!

Gary.

[Jeff Dyck]

Very nice Stuart - it looked from the thumbnail that the egret was on a mound of dirt - nice surprise. I really like the OOF grasses in background but am in agreement with Daniel - the grasses on the right edge are a bit distracting.

[Stu Bowie]

I am thinking the hair sticking up on the back was planned for comp sake? Great job!

Gary.

Thanks Gary. You be my guest and walk up to a buffalo and do his hair style for him.

Thanks Dumay, Dan and Jeff for your feedback too.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Really like this, great exposure with good details on the egret and the buffalo. I also really like the background which shown a hint of environment and soft changing tone. TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Here is a version without the grass on the RHS. Quick use of the patch tool and a touch up with the clone tool.

[arash_hazeghi]

great shot, love that perch ;)

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Works better with the grass removed. Great sighting & capture Stu!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes, I like the repost with extra grasses removed...

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback. Always appreciated.