In Flight Drongo

[Rudi van den Heever]

Location: Pilanesberg Game Reserve, South Africa
Date and time taken: 08H50 on 27 August 2011
Equipment: Canon 50D and 500mm F4 L IS USM
Settings: 1/3200 at F5.6 and ISO 800

[Ron Sprunger]

The bird is drop-dead gorgeous, as is the BG. Love the wing and tail position and the feather detail is a delight. I'd love to see a little more room at the top, and might be tempted to remove the thorn branch, but either way it's a keeper. Congratulations!

[Luis Villablanca]

Awesome timing for this capture. I assume it's taking off, right?
The background, details and the exposure are excellent, as are the wing and tail position.
Did you do any cropping? I agree about leaving more room at the top.

[Doug Brown]

Sweet image and good advice above. I'd also consider moving the perch slightly to the left in the frame; I'm not a big fan of perches emerging directly from the corner of the photo.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rudi, excellent exposure here, and well timed for the take off. I like the raised wings, and that BG is a killer. I agree with Doug not having a perch coming directly out of a corner. Although no one else has mentioned it, you could maybe cut back on the sharpening a touch.

Is the hide not productive that you are driving around the park for action? ( just got back from 6 days in Botswana, so lots of catching up to do )

[Morkel Erasmus]

Awesome timing here Rudi!
Agree with Stu - it's just a tad overcooked on the sharpening :)

Where's the 7D that you were using the 50D?

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks for the advice guys! Morkel, the 7D was on the 100-400mm... was on a (not so successful) mission to get the female leopard (and maybe her cubs) that was spotted in the Pilanesberg the last couple of weeks - needed the wider range to make sure I do not miss the shot!

[Mitch Carucci]

A perfect instant!

[Danny J Brown]

Rudi - A razor sharp capture of a fast and furious beauty. A bit too much room on the left for my taste but that is subjective. This image could be used as an advertisement of the no excuses sharpness of the affordable 100-400.

DB

[Daniel Cadieux]

This image could be used as an advertisement of the no excuses sharpness of the affordable 100-400.

DB

Except the image was taken with the 500mm f/4...but yes, the 100-400 is WAY underated!

Excellent image, way to go on the take-off timing! Very sharp, and very well exposed. Great BG too. I only wish the tail and tip of branch didn't overlap, but man this rocks!!

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks for taking the time to view an comment everyone! Yip, it was the 500mm Daniel, but still treasure my 100-400 dearly!

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Excellent take-off capture Rudi!

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks Mr Van Vuuren!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Rudi, what a shot. excellent call on the iso even though light seems bright. You need that SS for small birds. what I like the most is the drongo-tail shape seen so clearly. The angle of the bird couldn't have been better. perfect blacks. Well done.

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks Kaustubh!

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent sharp flight shot with great dynamic pose

[Rudi van den Heever]

Thanks Arash!