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" Smiling" Shoebill
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" Smiling" Shoebill

by Ken Watkins

Gallery: AvianPosted June 5, 201392 views11 comments
The Shoebill sighting we had on the edge of Lake Charles in Ishasha, Uganda, actually produced "action" if you could ever describe a Shoebill thus.
EOS 1DX
500mm F4 MNkII
F8
ISO 800
1/1250
hand-held from open safari vehicle on "dry" land

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 5, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Lovely photo Ken, great detail. Those eyes are really malevolent. Without knowing the circumstances of your sighting I think I would like a bit more space around what is a pretty large bird. Although whilst I think it might improve the composition you might lose the impact of those eyes.
Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments
Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on June 5, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Very nice face detail of this interesting bird. TFS.
Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on June 5, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Geez, what a cool bird. Well captured Ken. I like that stare down..... and nice work isolating the subject from the background. :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 5, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Very cool, Ken. I love the "smile".

:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on June 5, 2013 at 8:50 PM
That's just about the weirdest looking bird I have ever seen. He looks like he is grinning at you. Great image.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 5, 2013 at 9:45 PM
Yikes. What a strange looking bird. My first thought was, "a dinosaur with wings." Yeah, smile at you face-to-face then stab you in the back with that beak! Grin and stare. Watch out!

Thanks for posting this fine shot. I've never seen this bird before. Thank goodness... I think I would rather face a lion.
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 6, 2013 at 2:48 AM
Thanks everybody for your kind comments

I have been so lucky with these remarkable looking birds, three attempts and two good sightings. Although I am not really a bird photographer, I give them a try wherever I go, and in my view Uganda is very special indeed.

The people are very nice as well.
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 7, 2013 at 1:52 PM
A very interesting but sinister look from this unusual bird. The larger image detail looks great, nice job in getting this.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 7, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Jim,

Thanks very much :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 9, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside :smile:
Nice one Ken
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 10, 2013 at 2:54 AM
Rob,

Great comment :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments