African buffalo with oxpecker

Hi James,

No doubt about it - I'd clone that distracting bird out!

Totally kidding - this is a great shot! To me the bull looks almost like a statue or caricature - what a face! This is a powerful image and the bird adds that "something special" to it. Really interesting...

Thanks for sharing this exceptionally memorable image!

Brad

Bravo! This works for me on multiple levels. The focus on the buffalo's eyes, forehead and horn looks perfect. I like the catchlight in the eye and wrinkled detail, including the fly on his brow. The oxpecker is perfectly placed to offer that bit of dramatic delay, not at first evident, but a second later offering a nice counter point to the main subject. In this case the smooth shape of the bird is a contrast to the coarse bullalo textures, the bright yellow eye and red-orange bill make terrific accent to an otherwise monochromatic image.

Now that's a face only a mother could love but with such character. I would say this is a strong portrait indeed. The oxpecker does indeed add to the interest and by keeping it close you certainly did eliminate any distractions. However, I do want to get him a kleenex or a napkin. What a messy eater!!!

The color contrast and size contrast make it look poorly photoshopped -- at first glance. Once you take the time to look at the picture and realize it's real, it's beautiful and only adds to this great portrait.

- Luke

James,
That is a very powerful image! I did not even notice the bird when I first looked at this photo. I love the detail and wrinkles in the face. He looks like you owe him money...

i love it...

Wow, that is a great portrait! The tops of his horns would have been nice. But still an awesome image.

Shane

What an awesome shot! Love that bird! Great capture.

Superb image!

Good use of the telephoto to get an unusual perspective. The bird is a nice bit of symbiosis.

Fantastic shot - it's refreshing to see such a fine specimen. I do lots of my photography in Lake Nakuru national park, where there are few natural predators (only 1 pride of lions in the park) resulting in many very old, very sick buffalo - not very photogenic! The bird is a big bonus as well - giving a nice splash of colour.

Very nice shot

Billy

Great photo. I really like the texture and the bird and the fly and even the snot. great character shot.

awesome

Sorry I missed this one James. This is excellent, great composition and full of detail! That said I think a bit more DOF could have made the details on the nose a bit sharper.

Wow! True Africa! Vry nice and excellent composition! Would including the completee head made the pic even better?

best
Alf J

Hi everyone, thank you very much for all of the complimentary comments As for including more of the head / horns, I found it a really tricky composition in the end - although it is so simple! Zooming out any further would lead to the inclusion of background - my idea was to eliminate this completely. The other tendancy I have had in the past photographing buffalo is to try and shoot landscape, including the horns fully. This can work well if the situation is suitable, in this case after shooting many options, this was the one I preferred.

Thanks again, James

Wow, fabulous textural details in this close-up. (Glad to see you used a long telephoto to get it )

composition
red-billed oxpecker

This is incredible James. Just the buffalo on it's own would have been an awesome portrait of this animal. Almost like a weathered old man's face. And with the open mouth and teeth, just perfect. Then add in the bird, and this becomes a super interaction between the two, taking it a significant step beyond 'just another portrait'. I love the tight and symmetrical composition, it takes away any distractions and lets me take in the multitude of details that are there. Excellent!

Very dynamic crop/comp and the bird adds great interest.
The bird also adds a splash of off-setting color, in an otherwise monochrome portrait.
Well done

James. Stunning shot. I am in the Kruger this weekend and will surely keep this image in mind when looking at the Buffs again. I like what you did with the close crop and the position of the ox pecker.
Very nice.

Neal Cooper