Crimson Breasted Shrike

Gallery: AvianPosted October 23, 2011179 views8 comments

This was probably my first ever sighting of this bird atually siting still on an open perch.
As luck would have it we were in transit from The Hide to main camp and had a vehicle packed with bags and people and I was sat next to the driver. This somewhat restricted my ability to point the lens where I wanted, so the curse of the Crimson Breasted Shrike almost triumphed again.

EOS 1D Mk IV

500mm F4 IS hand-held

F7.1, ISO 400, 1/1250, EV +0.67

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on October 24, 2011 at 7:29 AM

I would say you have beaten the curse, despite some very contrasty conditions there is detail in both blacks and whites. Good shot of a smart bird.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by David Hemmings on October 24, 2011 at 12:07 PM

Wow, a new shrike species, great capture of this nice looking shrike

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 24, 2011 at 2:11 PM

Now this is an interesting species ! Congrats in fighting the spell of this bird

Good shot as well ! Cheers, Hans
ps where was this taken ?

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 24, 2011 at 2:32 PM

Nice job in getting this difficult shot in the bright light, what a color contrast this bird has, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 24, 2011 at 11:51 PM

Thanks everybody for your kind comments, now for another one

Hans,

Sorry I forgot to put in the location, very remiss of me as I always like to publicise my favourite park, it was taken in Hwange NationalPark, Zimbabwe

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 25, 2011 at 11:00 PM

Gorgeous bird and a great image. I would tone down the red channel just a bit and try and get come of the upper chest detail back. Lovely overall.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 26, 2011 at 12:08 AM

Angela,

It is really that red, this is allready toned down, I tried to get back some more detail, but I do not think it is there

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 26, 2011 at 5:01 PM

Absolute beauty.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments