Glossy Starling

[Morkel Erasmus]

I've always managed to avoid getting a decent shot of these common South African chaps. And a decent shot for me always meant showing off the iridescent plumage. Imagine my surprise at digging up this one from a trip to the Addo Elephant National Park last year...

The bird is sitting on a "spekboom" (literal translation: Bacon Tree), and iconic and integral part of the Addo ecosystem.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f8.0 | 1/400 SS | ISO-1250
Last light

[Daniel Cadieux]

I have to say I am pleasantly surprised by this image as the thumb does not do it justice. Super colours and great eye, and I love the tree it is perched on. I'd likely eliminate the separated leaves at bottom left