Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Turkey Vulture

  1. #1
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default Turkey Vulture

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I was hunting for warblers on a bluff at Nickel Preserve in Oklahoma last week when I ran across this turkey vulture in a cedar tree growing out of the bluff face. I had to maneuver around for quite sometime to find this small opening in the tree to get a shot of its head but the bird tolerated my presence the whole time and never left its perch. I never noticed the gash on its face until somebody on my weekly blog pointed it out. It must have been in a recent fight over some dead stuff. Thanks for taking a look at this cool critter.

    Canon 1D Mark IV; Canon 500/4 + 1.4x TCII; 1/800; f/8.0; ISO 400; EV 0; Gitzo GT3530LS w/Wimberley II.

    Note: Cedar limbs on left and bird's head angle don't bother me at all. James Shadle himself instructed me to push the peanut early and often to help BPNrs keep an open mind! (Ha)

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the framing of the shot with the vegetation. A tough exposure with the white beak tip and the dark feathers in the shadows; I might try to bring down the whites and pull up the darks a bit. I do wish the head was angled more towards the viewer. Did you apply any blurring to the vegetation?
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  3. #3
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    The light angle was really tough on this one and it only turned its head a few times to catch a wash of light. I coldn't get a better angle without stepping off the bluff. The head angle, as is, allows us to see more of the layering (scalloping) of feathers behind its head so I like that. I took down the whites in the RAW file a bit and find the bill to be acceptable at this point. I never do any localized corrections or changes so I wouldn't even know how to blur the vegetation (smile). Thanks Doug for your thoughtful comments, as always.

    DB

  4. #4
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Danny:

    He looks rather thoughtful (not easy to do when you are a vulture)
    For me, the browns are good, nice detail except where in full shadow, as expected.
    The bill is still too hot.

    Will they respond to noises, go get the head to come around a bit?
    Perhaps a dead rabbit tied to your hat?

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  5. #5
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Funny.....as a matter of fact, I made about every kind of squeaking and clicking noise to get him to look at me but he was very aloof...rather stubborn.

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Haverhill, Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    313
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Agree that the bill is hot.

    The surroundings are wonderful and it would have been better with a better HA BUT.....the bird almost looks as though it is deep in thought.

    I like it :)

  7. #7
    BPN Member Chris Ober's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Texas, Ya'll
    Posts
    1,490
    Threads
    108
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I like the away look on this one. Maybe take out the top out of focus branch.
    Chris


    0 .· ` ' / ·. 100
    I have a high sarcasm rate. Deal with it.
    include('sarcasm.php')

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Danny, the light has brought out the feather detail nicely, and overall well framed between the foliage. I agree a better head turn would have been good.

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Haverhill, Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    313
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The more I look at this image, the more I think that this HA is better than what we would typically strive for as it adds a whole lot of personality IMHO.

  10. #10
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Fenton View Post
    The more I look at this image, the more I think that this HA is better than what we would typically strive for as it adds a whole lot of personality IMHO.
    I'm glad you and a few others brought this up, Jim. Think how many interesting and thought-provoking shots are never seen on BPN because people are reluctant to share an image that doesn't meet narrowly-constrained head angle recommendations.

    DB

  11. #11
    Mike Fuhr
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Danny J Brown View Post
    I'm glad you and a few others brought this up, Jim. Think how many interesting and thought-provoking shots are never seen on BPN because people are reluctant to share an image that doesn't meet narrowly-constrained head angle recommendations.

    DB
    Amen to that, Danny. Amen.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics