POP!

Gallery: AvianPosted May 27, 2013234 views22 comments

This is a Black Bellied Bustard performing his mating call. This involves swallowing air and releasing it with a sound resembling the pop of a champagne cork.
Found this one performing on a early and rather dull morning in Kwando, Botswana

EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4
F5.6
1/500
ISO 800

hand-held from open vehicle

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 27, 2013 at 11:19 AM

Very nice as posted. The setting and low angle showcase the bird quite well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 27, 2013 at 12:09 PM

Real nice pose and bg. Details show nicely on the larger version. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 27, 2013 at 12:13 PM

Nice pose, Ken. I'd be tempted to go vertical with this one.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 27, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Stunning! Love everything I see. Really nice work Ken.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on May 27, 2013 at 4:07 PM

Ken,
Very nice catch. I agree with Dennis' comment about trying this vertical.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 27, 2013 at 8:36 PM

Excellent capture of the behavior. I agree with the suggestions for a vertical comp.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 28, 2013 at 2:25 AM

Thanks everybody, this is Full Frame, I tried a vertical crop, but preferred the "call into" space on the right

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 28, 2013 at 12:08 PM

Wonderful full frame image and nice timing to get the call. Excellent shot Ken.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 28, 2013 at 4:16 PM

Wonderful species in a great pose ! Lucky you ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on May 28, 2013 at 10:04 PM

What a nice look at this cool looking bird, love the low POV and the and the gorgeous setting. I understand the comments suggesting a vertical crop and I'm sure that would put greater emphasis on the subject, but I like the image as posted - it gives a better sense of place. Beautiful image.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 29, 2013 at 2:43 AM

Jim, Hans and Randy,

Thanks very much

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on May 29, 2013 at 4:33 AM

Nothing much to add except that i agree with Ken's choice on composition. Vertical would give a nice tight crop on the bird but you would lose the 'meaning' of the call.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 29, 2013 at 4:46 AM

Martin,

Thanks for your comment, cropping is a difficult choice

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 29, 2013 at 7:57 AM

Lovely shot Ken - such an African scene

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 29, 2013 at 9:34 AM

Ron,

Thanks very much

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 30, 2013 at 12:24 AM

A Beauty Ken

Great calling pose, awesome habitat, sweet light. Very sharp and a pleasing composition.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 30, 2013 at 3:36 AM

Ken,

Thanks very much for your comment

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 5, 2013 at 12:22 PM

Great BG setting off this cool bird - nice pose.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on June 5, 2013 at 1:11 PM

Wow, almost missed this one. Congrats on the EP, Ken. Fantastic.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 6, 2013 at 2:52 AM

Sandy and Charlie,

Thanks very much, I only wish I could post the sound

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 30, 2013 at 12:07 AM

I can almost hear the call.

Terrific frame, very nicely presented.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 8, 2013 at 2:55 AM

Jagdeep,

Thanks very much for your kind comment

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