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Fatherhood
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Fatherhood

by Vincent Grafhorst

Gallery: AvianPosted February 27, 2011186 views15 comments
African Jacanas are a common, but graceful bird in Botswana's Okavango Delta. One of the interesting things about them is that jacanas are polyandrous, meaning that a single female, which is also larger than the males, will mate with several males and then lay eggs in each of their nests. Only the male incubates the eggs and cares for the young birds. So what you see here is Daddy with two chicks walking across floating vegetation!

This image was made from a small motorboat, an excellent way to explore and photograph the Okavango from a different angle. I have set-up a new unique photographic boat safari called 'Wild Waters' to offer this unique perspective to wildlife photography enthusiasts. The first trip will run in June this year. For more information please follow the link in my signature.

African Jacana (Actophilornis africana) with chicks
Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shutter Speed 1/640 Sec.
Aperture Value f/8.0
ISO Speed 800
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 400mm
Handheld from small boat
Crop app 85% of original

Comments

15 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 28, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Nice image and nice background info.
Dad is tack-sharp and the included habitat very effective in showcasing the family.
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on February 28, 2011 at 3:01 AM
The extended neck is great. I've photographed jacanas and never even noticed the yellow ring. Nice capture of the family, and like Sandy I appreciate the info on the species.

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 28, 2011 at 3:56 AM
Love the overall comp Vincent. Very nice job on the exposure too. The low angle is great and the chicks and attitude of the parent adds to the image. Nice information on the species. Well done.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 28, 2011 at 5:18 AM
Beautiful image form you Vincent. Love the chicks in the frame ..excellent comp and the larger version brings out all the detail... Well done

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 28, 2011 at 5:41 AM
Love the setting and low angle Vincent. Nice detail in the large image

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 28, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Great capture- Very nice family, sadly one chick hasn't learnt to be in focus- Awesome light and nice details- Many thanks for the interesting informations about the species- Ciao, Fabio
Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 28, 2011 at 2:03 PM
Lovely familiy scene and habitat - I especially like the adults pose and habitat. Nice work with exposure.
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 28, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Great image and a nice new species for all us state siders to enjoy. I might trim some off the right side so dad is not so centered. Thanks for sharing this.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on March 1, 2011 at 12:33 AM
What a great capture of such a lovely familly :smile: . Really glad to see some new and interesting species here.
Registered on July 23, 2005, 111 Posts, 408 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 1, 2011 at 3:34 PM
A very lovely family portrait Vincent, love the low angle, the setting and the different poses of the birds. The comp works very well for my tastes
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Andrea Marzorati on March 1, 2011 at 6:16 PM
What a fantastic image Vincent, everythings is perfect here!!
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 1, 2005, 86 Posts, 589 Comments
Comment posted by David Williams on March 1, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Interesting story, and I love the shot. Dad really stands out here and you've gotten the detail and light just right.
:toast:
Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on March 2, 2011 at 1:03 PM
I love this, too!
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 2, 2011 at 10:16 PM
OMG this is precious Vincent. Amazing that it's caught from a boat. Great story too
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on March 6, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Awww, this is cute :smile:
The colours are great too.
Well done.

Geoff.
Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments