Turkey Vulture

Gallery: AvianPosted July 14, 201077 views11 comments

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Place: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ
Date: July 11, 2010 7:00 am
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E 2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, ISO 400, 1/350th @ f/5.6, -1/3rd ev
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 93% of frame (cropped left edge only)

I managed a couple hours out to shoot on the weekend, in spite of our continuing summer weather (it will be 115 degrees her on Thursday).

There's a colony of Turkey Vultures that roost spring through fall at the Arboretum: many ikn the tall trees but also on the rocky slopes at the base of Picket Post Mountain. I've tried for photos of them before, but they are usually too high or distant for anything usable.

I like this small-in-frame image that captures the colors and textures of the setting. The soft directional light brings out the textures of the rock and separates the vulture from the grasses behind it.

Please view the larger version if you intend to comment as it is necessary to see the detail IMO. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 14, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Richard,

I rarely see these perched on anything (unless its a telephone pole) so I can appreciate getting it on this big rock. True to your style there is plenty of habitat but all the details are present.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on July 14, 2010 at 6:15 PM

Hi Richard,

I think it a good choice to give the viewer something more attractive than the vulture to look at and in my view almost anything qualifies.

Seriously, it looks good.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 14, 2010 at 11:02 PM

I like this a lot, Richard. The vulture fits the setting very well. I think I'd take a touch off the bottom, but that's probably just me. The technical aspects are first-rate, as usual.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 14, 2010 at 11:55 PM

Rich, there are a lot of things that I like about this image. I love the light, and the separation of the bird from the bg. this is a rich image, compositionally, with a lot for the eye to investigate (exploration, not distraction), while still being drawn back to the main subject. I like how much rock there is and how it anchors the shot, and I like the other elements as well, the mesquites(?) at right and along the top and the grasses in the middle. I feel like I could let my eyes wander around this frame for a long time (actually, I already have and keep going back).

The pose is intriguing and works with the comp for me, despite being "non-traditional" with the bird looking into the smaller part of the frame. A good reminder to not be bound to the "rules of comp." well done.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 15, 2010 at 12:28 AM

I like this image a great deal for the very reasons you mentioned. Rugged bird in a rugged land.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on July 15, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Richard:
An interesting habitat and surprising detail in the reds of the head and blacks of the wing given that the bird is small in the frame. I like Gary's description - rugged bird in rugged terrain.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 15, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Rich,

I love the setting, the textures on the rock and the vulture's size in the frame. I don’t mind at all the direction the bird is looking. I like the soft directional light and how much detail you were able to show in the vulture's dark feathers. As usual your techs are excellent.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 15, 2010 at 6:01 PM

A really nice environmental image Richard, I like the setting a lot.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 16, 2010 at 4:30 AM

Richard this is a very nice habitat shot! Like Luke said we have to deal with phone poles!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 16, 2010 at 4:46 AM

Very effective Richard - like the setting and head turn

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 22, 2010 at 12:18 PM

I enjoy the comp and that look back pose, large view looks great Richard.
Well done.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments