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Majestic In Flight
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Majestic In Flight

by Butch Lama

Gallery: AvianPosted August 24, 2010125 views11 comments
This sky view of the long billed vulture (gyps indicus) was taken from the natural fort of Bandhavgarh, the central landmark of the park. The plateau is known as a great place to get shots of vultures in flight as they catch the thermal waves. It is also a nesting place for four other species of vultures, as well as raptors.

Vultures found in the Indian subcontinent are on the decline, a result of feeding on carcasses of cattle treated with diclofenac.

D300, 200-400 VR, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/400. Hand held. Cropped.

C & C requested.

Butch

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on August 24, 2010 at 12:57 AM
That looks like a bird with serious attitude. And that's a wicked bill. Very nice flight shot. On the larger photo, you can see some digital artifacts on the nec; and face, the tail feathers and the tips of the left primaries; I'm not sure what caused them... Maybe a do-over in PS? Great bird, though.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 24, 2010 at 7:16 AM
Great pose Butch - love that eye contact

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Mason on August 24, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Great angle on the bird and lovely background. I wonder if this might be a large crop?
Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments
Comment posted by Keith Bauer on August 24, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Very nice pose with the head turn. There is something odd going on with the details on the bird though. Noise reduction?? The head and neck seem to be suffering the most.
Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments
Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on August 24, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Wonderful shot. The pose is great and so is the lighting. Love it. :toast:
Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 24, 2010 at 10:08 AM
I like the shot Butch. Nice BG and great bird position. Looks to me like NR was used on the bird and resulted in removal of the feather vein and skin detail. I suggest never using NR on the bird itself only on the BG when absolutely needed. Just a suggestion if you did indeed use NR on the bird.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Courtenay on August 24, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Takes me back, I have shot from there a few times in the past-Great pose and head turn

Dave :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 18, 2005, 56 Posts, 462 Comments
Comment posted by Axel Hildebrandt on August 25, 2010 at 1:06 PM
Cool topside view, BG and look-back pose.
Registered on October 16, 2006, 66 Posts, 441 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 25, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Vultures don't get enough respect! :wink: Super flight shot.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Satie Sharma on August 26, 2010 at 4:10 AM
Very cool, Butch. I like the wing position and background a lot. Nice eye contact too. I must visit Bandhavgarh this season. :smile: :toast:
Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 26, 2010 at 7:26 AM
Excellent pose, I especially like the raised head, eye contact and good view of the uperparts. Also agree with comments about lack of detail in the larger image.
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments