Yellow Billed Shrikes

Gallery: AvianPosted August 11, 201678 views8 comments

At last a safari with a few posing birds potentially worthy of posting.
This pair posed for a few seconds and provided me with my best ever opportunity for this species.
Taken in Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Uganda.
EOS 1DX MkII
200-400 mm F4 with 1.4 EX at 560 mm
F8
ISO 1600
1/3200

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Joseph Messenbaugh on August 11, 2016 at 7:35 AM

Outstanding! Their body and head positions are very pleasing to the eye. Love the thorny perch. It makes the difference between a very good image and a great one for me.

Joseph

Registered on August 6, 2016, 8 Posts, 12 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 11, 2016 at 8:08 AM

Great poses and bright eyes on both, and their usual perch. The large image shows some noise and loss of detail, but likely a large crop.
I'd personally clean up a bit of the brambles, but always an individual decision.
Nice work!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on August 11, 2016 at 10:32 AM

I'd say you needed a head turn to the right b the upper bird, but then you'd have to deal with the branch, so this turned out well. Nice clean BG, but it's the perch that makes the shot.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 11, 2016 at 11:14 AM

Great poses combined with the thorn bush make an excellent composition, Ken. The bg is sweet. My only nit is that the birds seem just the slightest bit soft-was this a substantial crop?

devil

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on August 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM

Outstanding poses, background and perch Ken. I agree with Sandy & Dennis regarding the slight softness but still a very well composed and lit scene. Nice work!

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on August 12, 2016 at 9:41 PM

You captured two excellent poses, Ken. Beautiful image with great light and the muted colors of the background really help the birds stand out.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on August 14, 2016 at 6:12 AM

Thanks every body for your comments and advice

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on August 16, 2016 at 6:41 PM

This is a very nice image and what really makes it for me is the perch. I like the fact that both birds are in nice sharp focus but the purchase so interesting and it contrasts so well with the smooth background.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments